Nollywood actress Laide Bakare has dismissed Eniola Badmus’ public apology as “fake” following a controversy over Badmus’ reaction when her name was mentioned during an interview on Isbae U’s Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast.

Badmus apologised on Tuesday, October 20, after a clip from the interview circulated online, showing her hissing and changing her facial expression when the host, Isbae U, named Laide Bakare as one of his favourite actresses.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Badmus acknowledged that her reaction could have appeared dismissive and apologised to her colleague.

“On reflection, I realise my reaction when Laide Bakare’s name was mentioned during my recent interview could have come across as dismissive, and for that, I sincerely apologise,” she wrote.

Addressing Bakare directly, the actress added, “Laide, whatever our differences, I choose peace and I genuinely wish you well.”

She also called for an end to the disagreement, saying that personal growth involves learning from past experiences and moving forward.

“We’re all growing, learning and becoming better versions of ourselves. Sometimes maturity is simply knowing when to let go and move forward,” she stated.

However, Bakare was not convinced by the apology. In a subsequent Instagram response, she described it as a “fake apology,” suggesting that the statement had not resolved the disagreement between the actresses.

The controversy began on Monday, October 19, when Laide Bakare criticised Badmus over her reaction during the podcast interview. She accused her colleague of repeatedly damaging her reputation despite previous warnings.

Bakare also described Badmus as ungrateful, claiming that she had played a significant role in helping her grow in the entertainment industry.

The latest exchange follows years of public disagreements between the actresses.

In March 2024, Badmus appeared to mock Bakare’s outfit at her book launch in a social media post. Bakare subsequently expressed disappointment over the comment, saying she had expected support from a colleague she regarded as a childhood friend from their University of Ibadan days.

Their disagreement resurfaced in April 2025 at the Lagos premiere of Eniola Ajao’s film Owambe Thieves. Videos from the event showed a tense exchange between the actresses, with Badmus reportedly saying they were no longer friends and objecting to being filmed alongside Bakare.

Badmus’ latest apology appears to signal a willingness to move past their differences, but Laide Bakare’s response suggests that a reconciliation between the two actresses remains uncertain.