Nollywood veteran Fathia Balogun also known as Faithia Williams has publicly claimed that her first major cinema release, the historical epic Efunroye: The Unicorn, is being deliberately undermined by cinema operators through poor scheduling.
In a widely circulated video clip, the actress stated that if the film is eventually pulled from cinemas, she will grant a tell-all interview and name the individual she believes is behind the alleged sabotage. Williams expressed frustration that her movie is being relegated to midnight and late-night slots instead of prime daytime showtimes, making it difficult for fans to attend screenings.
Efunroye: The Unicorn, which hit cinemas nationwide on May 1, 2026, tells the story of the influential 19th-century Nigerian merchant and businesswoman Efunroye Tinubu. The star-studded cast includes Fathia Balogun herself, Saidi Balogun, Odunlade Adekola, and others. Directed in part by Tope Adebayo Salami and Adebayo Tijani, the film was positioned as a significant cinematic milestone for the actress and Yoruba Nollywood.
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Williams also appealed to her supporters to mobilize and watch the film while it remains in theaters, noting that low turnout could leave her in debt due to production costs.
Her complaints echo similar allegations made by other filmmakers, such as Toyin Abraham, who have previously claimed unfair treatment in cinema allocations for non-blockbuster or Yoruba-language films.
As of May 29, 2026, Efunroye continues to screen in various cinemas across Nigeria, though availability of optimal slots appears limited according to the actress and circulating reports. No official response from major cinema chains has been widely reported yet regarding her specific claims.
The development has sparked discussions online about challenges faced by indigenous filmmakers in securing fair distribution and prime screening times in Nigerian cinemas.
