Grief and Grievance: Allwell’s Brother Slams Nollywood

The sudden passing of popular Nollywood actress and producer Allwell Ademola has shifted from a moment of national mourning to a heated debate over industry loyalty. In a viral video that has sent shockwaves through the Yoruba film community, the brother of the late actress has lashed out at A-list stars, including Iyabo Ojo and Lateef Adedimeji. He accused them of “fake love,” claiming they failed to support his sister while she was alive, only to rush to social media to mourn her death.

Allwell Ademola tragically passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025. Her death was particularly haunting as it came barely 24 hours after she shared a video of herself singing, “This year will never see my end.” The irony of her final post has left fans and colleagues in deep shock, prompting a massive wave of “Rest in Peace” messages and black-and-white photos across Instagram and Twitter.

However, the late actress’s brother is not moved by the digital tributes. In a passionate and raw video, he ordered the industry’s elite to stop posting her pictures. He specifically targeted the inaccuracy surrounding her biography, noting that many bloggers and colleagues were incorrectly labeling her as 43 years old. “You guys should stop posting my sister; you don’t even know her age,” he declared, refusing to disclose her actual age but insisting the industry’s knowledge of her was superficial.

His primary grievance, however, was the perceived lack of professional support for Allwell during her lifetime. He questioned how many of the “A-list” stars who called themselves her friends ever promoted her movies or gave her roles in their big-budget cinema projects. He pointed out that while Allwell was a pioneer who welcomed many of them into the industry, she was frequently excluded from the lucrative cinema circles they now dominate.

Addressing Iyabo Ojo and Lateef Adedimeji by name, he reminded them of the days when they used the family house for filming. He described his sister as a pillar who carried many younger actors on her back when they were starting out. “All of you A-list artists, remember that my sister supported you when you joined this industry,” he said. He expressed bitterness that those she once helped had seemingly moved on to “cinema movies” without looking back to include her.

The brother’s outburst highlights a recurring tension in Nollywood regarding the “clique” culture and the disparity between veteran actors and the new breed of cinema stars. He claimed that despite her talent and contributions, he only ever saw his sister in her own self-produced movies, suggesting that her peers stopped casting her in their own high-profile productions. The accusation is that the industry ignores its own until they become a “trending topic” in death.

This public call-out has sparked a divided reaction among fans. While some agree that Nollywood is filled with “eye-service” and performative grief, others argue that grief is a personal matter and that the brother’s anger, while understandable in a time of loss, might be misplaced. Neither Iyabo Ojo nor Lateef Adedimeji has officially responded to the video, as the industry continues to grapple with the loss of one of its most versatile producers.

As funeral arrangements for Allwell Ademola are being discussed, the video remains a stark reminder of the fragile nature of industry friendships. For her brother, the “Rest in Peace” captions are a poor substitute for the professional respect and promotion he believes his sister deserved while she was still breathing. The debate serves as a somber postscript to the life of a woman who, just a day before her passing, was full of hope for the coming year.