Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has refuted claims circulating on social media that he owes FirstBank ₦5 billion over a loan allegedly secured to produce his 2022 film, Aníkúlápó, insisting that the report is entirely untrue.
Responding in a video shared on Friday, Afolayan dismissed the allegation, stating that neither he nor his production company is indebted to the bank and that no legal dispute exists between both parties.
“I try not to do this, but for whatever it is worth, and also for those who are well-wishers, friends and family who are really worried about the publication of this nonsense they are spreading around, saying we’re owing ₦5 billion, I really wish,” he said.
He added humorously that he would not hesitate to accept such a loan if any financial institution was prepared to offer it.
“If I see a bank that will give me ₦5 billion, I definitely will take it because I’ll use it for the betterment of the country, but the honest truth is there’s nothing of such,” he said.
Afolayan explained that Aníkúlápó was produced under a co-production agreement between his company, Golden Effects Pictures, and Netflix, stressing that the arrangement did not leave any outstanding financial obligations.
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“Aníkúlápó, even from the film, was a co-production between Golden Effects and Netflix, and it was a clear, straightforward deal. No money is owed. No money is owed to anyone,” he said.
He further rejected reports suggesting that FirstBank had taken legal action against him, describing the claims as baseless.
“There is no litigation. FirstBank, we are good friends of the bank. We’ve done collaborations in the past and we’re still doing stuff, but we don’t have any issue of any sort,” he stated.
Although he hinted that he knew those responsible for spreading the story, the filmmaker chose not to identify them.
“The people behind this are my gurus, so that’s all I’ll say,” he added.
Afolayan also expressed appreciation to those who contacted him after seeing the reports, reiterating that the allegation lacked any factual basis.
“Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the links and the messages. We’re not owing anybody ₦5 billion. Thank you,” he said.
The rumours, which gained traction on X, alleged that Afolayan obtained a ₦5 billion loan from FirstBank to finance Aníkúlápó, with an agreement to repay the facility within three years.
The posts further claimed that after Netflix acquired the film, he repaid only part of the loan, leading the bank to initiate legal proceedings.