Nollywood actress Funke Akindele has become a subject of discussion on social media after she was absent from the premiere of Star Lomo, the debut cinema film of popular skit maker Akinyoola Ayoola, better known as Kamo State.
The film premiered in Lagos on Sunday, attracting members of the entertainment industry and fans of the skit maker.
However, Akindele’s absence caught the attention of some social media users because of her long-standing relationship with Kamo, whom she has publicly supported and featured in several of her projects.
The relationship between the actress and the skit maker became more prominent during the promotion and production of Everybody Loves Jenifa in 2024.
Since then, Kamo has appeared regularly in content associated with Akindele and has featured in some of her productions, including Aiyetoro Town Season 2, Behind The Scenes and Everybody Loves Jenifa.
Akindele has also publicly supported Kamo’s personal and professional milestones. She attended his wedding in Ibadan, supported his child’s naming ceremony and has hosted Kamo and his wife on several occasions.
Her support also extended to promoting some of Kamo’s independent projects, including his YouTube content.
Against this background, some social media users expected the actress to attend or publicly support the premiere of Star Lomo, especially as it marked an important milestone in Kamo’s career.
Her absence therefore triggered questions about the state of their relationship, with some users speculating that the pair might have fallen out.
However, Akindele’s absence from the premiere has a straightforward explanation: she was in Ghana at the time of the event for a staycation with singer Waje, who is also a cast member of Akindele’s forthcoming film, The Four.
The actress’ presence in Ghana was referenced by some social media users while discussing her absence from Kamo’s premiere.
One user questioned why Akindele was not at the event, noting that Kamo had supported the actress during her own movie campaigns.
Others, however, defended Akindele, pointing to the extensive support she had previously given Kamo.
Some recalled her appearances at Kamo’s wedding, her support for his child’s naming ceremony and his inclusion in her film projects, arguing that missing one event should not erase years of professional and personal support.
The debate also revived discussions about Akindele’s relationships with other entertainers who have worked closely with her, including Juliana Oloyede, popularly known as Toyo Baby, and Tobi Makinde.
While some social media users interpreted the reduced frequency of Kamo’s appearances alongside Akindele as a possible sign of tension, others dismissed the speculation as an attempt to create controversy around the two entertainers.
There has been no public confirmation from either Akindele or Kamo that they are currently at odds.
For now, the social media debate appears to have been driven largely by Akindele’s absence from the Star Lomo premiere and the public nature of her previous relationship with Kamo.
Kamo’s debut cinema film nevertheless marks another step in his transition from skit-making to mainstream film, following his growing presence in Nollywood productions and his association with established industry figures such as Akindele.