Nigerian actress Wumi Toriola has responded strongly to food critic Opeyemi Famakin after he criticized her for calling out popular food blogger Chef T (Diary of a Kitchen Lover).
The controversy started when Toriola publicly accused Chef T of ignoring her request for a collaboration in August 2024. The issue sparked debates online, with some supporting Toriola while others defended Chef T.
Famakin weighed in on the matter through an Instagram post, without mentioning Toriola by name. He accused her of unfairly dragging Chef T simply because she did not receive a response to her request.
“There is an actress dragging Chef T after reaching out for a collaboration, and because she didn’t get a response, Chef T is now a bad person, according to her,” Famakin wrote.
He further stated that Chef T was making positive contributions to the food industry and did not deserve to be criticized over an unanswered message.
Toriola did not hold back in her response. In an Instagram post, she called Famakin a coward for refusing to mention her name directly.
“Dear Opeyemi, there’s really no need to act like a coward. My name is Wumi Toriola, and I’m merely responding to your tantrums and desperate need for attention,” she wrote.
She went on to question Famakin’s credibility, calling him a “self-appointed food critic” without a defined career.
“If it brings you even a shred of relevance, I truly don’t mind. It’s rather amusing, though, coming from someone without a defined career or any tangible job description. You’ve caused more harm than good to struggling entrepreneurs, all under the guise of being a self-appointed food critic,” she added.
Toriola concluded her message by advising Famakin to focus on building a career or a successful business before criticizing others.
“Next time you feel the urge to come for me, perhaps take a moment to reflect, establish a long-term career or build a successful business of your own. That way, your words might carry a little more weight,” she wrote.
The drama has since fueled online discussions, with fans taking sides in the ongoing clash between Toriola and Famakin.