Eniola Ajao Fires Back At Critic Questioning Her Acting Talent

Actress Eniola Ajao has said she will continue with her acting career despite strong criticism from movie critic Tolu Fagbure.

Fagbure recently questioned Ajao’s acting abilities and argued that she should not be taking movies to the cinema.

Speaking during an interview on Agbaletu, the critic was asked about Ajao and gave a highly critical assessment of her work.

Fagbure specifically referred to her film Ajakaju and said he did not believe the actress had a place in cinema. He also compared her with actor Odunlade Adekola.

He argued that Ajao’s physical appearance was one of her most noticeable attributes but questioned the quality of her acting.

According to Fagbure, the actress had a “fine face” but what he described as “plastic delivery.” He also said he did not think she had the talent required for acting or had developed that talent into the necessary skill.

The interviewer asked Fagbure whether his comments were too brutal.

The critic responded that his assessment was simply his personal opinion and should not be treated as an unquestionable judgment.

“My opinion is not sacrosanct; my opinion is not the end,” he said.

Ajao later responded to the criticism on X, making it clear that she was not planning to leave the entertainment industry.

The actress appeared to make light of the suggestion that her appearance was responsible for her career success.

“Ahhh, so my fine face is the only thing carrying me? After all these years?” she wrote.

Ajao said she would instead continue concentrating on her craft.

“I will just keep doing what I know how to do: work, grow and let the audience decide,” she said.

She added that people were entitled to their opinions but argued that professional careers were developed through consistent effort.

“After all, opinions are free, but careers are built,” the actress wrote.

Ajao also addressed the performance of her movies in cinemas, saying that neither positive nor negative cinema results would make her stop acting.

“Cinema or no cinema, I’m not stopping anytime soon. Ire oo,” she added.

Her response has since attracted attention from entertainment followers, particularly because she chose to focus on continuing her career rather than engaging in a prolonged dispute over the critic’s assessment.

The exchange reflects the differing opinions that can emerge between movie critics and actors over performances, filmmaking and the commercial release of Nollywood productions.