"I Won’t Stop": Toyin Abraham Defends Kneeling for Respect Amid Social Media Criticism

Toyin Abraham (Nigerian actress and filmmaker)

Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has pushed back against critics of her habit of kneeling to greet others at social events, insisting she will continue the gesture for those she deems worthy of respect.

The filmmaker clarified her position on Saturday via X (formerly Twitter) in response to a fan, Lady Victoria. The follower had warned Abraham that her "excessive" kneeling appeared unnecessary and could be misinterpreted as a desperate attempt to seek attention or a sign of low self-esteem.

“I’m a fan of Aunty Toyin Abraham but this her unnecessary kneeling down and greeting is becoming too much and looking like an eye service now. It’s ok to respect elders and cultures but those women she keep kneeling for are not so older than her,” Lady Victoria wrote.

“Aunty Toyin, you need to start packaging yourself now. That’s why they keep disrespecting you. They are not more than you, they are not bigger than you. Stop belittling yourself for them.”

The backlash stems from a viral video recorded at the 70th birthday celebration of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel. In the clip, Abraham is seen kneeling to greet prominent businesswoman Shade Okoya, her husband Rasaq Okoya, and several other high-profile guests.

Unmoved by the disapproval, Abraham doubled down on her actions, reaffirming her commitment to the cultural tradition of showing respect.

“I won’t stop kneeling to people who value and deserve it, my darling. I will continue to go on my both knees to greet people who value and deserve it no matter the status,” she wrote.

The fan also drew a connection to the actress’s vocal support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general elections—a stance that had previously made her a target for online backlash.

“We Nigerians have forgiven you for supporting City Boy in 2023. It’s time you forgive yourself too and carry yourself with pride and grace,” Lady Victoria wrote.

Abraham chose to ignore the comment regarding her political stance, leaving that part of the remark unaddressed.