Itele reacts after film critic says he has ‘no business’ in cinema

Nollywood actor and filmmaker Ibrahim Yekini, popularly known as Itele, has subtly responded to criticism from film critic Tolu Fagbure, choosing to let his achievements speak louder than words.

Fagbure had stirred debate after claiming in a recent interview that Itele and actress Eniola Ajao have no business making cinema films. The comment sparked mixed reactions among movie lovers and industry followers.

Rather than directly addressing the criticism, Itele took to his Instagram page to share throwback photos of himself alongside some of his colleagues, reflecting on his journey in the industry.

“From those days to these days. The mission never changed. Work hard, stay humble, let your results make the noise,” he wrote.

Eniola Ajao also appeared to respond to the critic's remarks, urging people to focus on their own purpose instead of being distracted by the success of others.

“When others are succeeding and achieving great things in life, don't waste your time gossiping. I'm too guided to be distracted. Let your results do the talking,” she said.

Interestingly, the criticism comes at a time when Itele is enjoying one of the biggest moments of his career. The actor recently received YouTube's Gold Creator Award after surpassing one million subscribers on the platform.

He also made history when his movie Koleoso became the first Nollywood and African film title to surpass 100 million views on YouTube, further cementing his growing influence in the digital entertainment space.

Opinion

Criticism is part of every creative industry, and healthy debates about filmmaking standards are important. However, success today is measured in different ways. While cinema releases remain prestigious, digital platforms like YouTube have created another path to reaching millions of viewers.

Whether one agrees with Tolu Fagbure or not, Itele's audience growth and record-breaking numbers suggest he has built a strong connection with fans. Ultimately, the market—and the audience—often has the final say.