Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has dismissed reports alleging that he owes FirstBank ₦5 billion over a loan reportedly obtained to finance his 2022 film, Aníkúlápó, describing the claim as false.

Reacting in a video shared on Friday, Afolayan said there was no litigation with the bank and that neither he nor his company owed anyone ₦5 billion.

“I try not to do this, but for whatever it is worth, and also for those who are well-wishers, friends and family who are really worried about the publication of this nonsense they are spreading around, saying we’re owing ₦5 billion, I really wish,” he said.

The filmmaker joked that he would gladly accept such a facility if any bank was willing to provide it.

“If I see a bank that will give me ₦5 billion, I definitely will take it because I’ll use it for the betterment of the country, but the honest truth is there’s nothing of such,” he said.

Afolayan explained that Aníkúlápó was a straightforward co-production between his company, Golden Effects Pictures, and Netflix, insisting that no money was owed to any party.

“Aníkúlápó, even from the film, was a co-production between Golden Effects and Netflix, and it was a clear, straightforward deal. No money is owed. No money is owed to anyone,” he said.

He also denied reports of any legal dispute involving FirstBank.

“There is no litigation. FirstBank, we are good friends of the bank. We’ve done collaborations in the past and we’re still doing stuff, but we don’t have any issue of any sort,” he stated.

While suggesting that those behind the report were known to him, Afolayan declined to name them.

“The people behind this are my gurus, so that’s all I’ll say,” he added.

He thanked supporters who reached out over the report and reiterated that the claim was entirely false.

“Thanks to everyone who has been sharing the links and the messages. We’re not owing anybody ₦5 billion. Thank you,” he said.

Rumours circulated on social media, particularly on X, claiming that Afolayan had been served court papers over an alleged ₦5 billion loan obtained from FirstBank to finance Aníkúlápó.

The posts alleged that the filmmaker secured the facility with an agreement to repay it within three years but allegedly repaid only part of the loan after Netflix acquired the film, prompting the bank to institute legal action.