Nollywood actress Wumi Toriola has sparked heated debate after blasting popular influencer Enioluwa for casually calling her “Wumi” instead of the respectful “Aunty Wumi” during a public event. The tense exchange occurred at the Miss Fair & White Beauty Pageant held at the Civic Center on Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos, as part of celebrations marking 30 years of the brand.
A video circulating widely on social media captured the moment. Wumi was warmly greeting colleagues including Ini Edo and Eniola Ajao when Enioluwa approached. He greeted her simply as “Wumi,” which instantly displeased the actress. She questioned the casual address and expressed her unhappiness, speaking mostly in Yoruba to emphasize the need to convey proper respect.
Wumi made her stance clear with a strong reaction asking if he’s crazy for addressing her without the title. Enioluwa quickly tried to calm the situation and apologized. He corrected himself by calling her “Aunty Wunmi,” adding humorously that her strong response had startled him at first.
The atmosphere soon lightened. Enioluwa praised Wumi’s academic achievements, and she mentioned her ongoing pursuit of an LLB law degree. The exchange ended on a playful note when Wumi jokingly insisted that Enioluwa should prostrate fully in greeting as a sign of respect.
The incident highlights deep cultural expectations in Yoruba tradition, where younger people are expected to show deference to elders or senior figures by using titles like “Aunty” or “Uncle,” especially in public or professional settings. Wumi’s firm response underscores her refusal to accept what she saw as a lack of proper regard, even from a well-known content creator like Eni.
Public reactions on social media have been lively and mostly supportive of the actress. Many commenters praised her for upholding cultural values. They also celebrated her no-nonsense attitude. A few viewed the moment as light-hearted cruise or entertainment, noting the eventual smiles and prayers. Others criticized Enioluwa for getting carried away with fame and forgetting basic etiquette. Enioluwa, who often engages playfully with stars, appeared to take the correction in stride.