Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker Faithia Balogun has publicly addressed rumours claiming that her historical epic Efunroye: The Unicorn was sponsored by the government and influential political figures because of its strong connection to Lagos history.

Stating clearly that neither the government nor any powerful political figure financed the project.

In a recent interview, the actress and filmmaker was asked about the growing claims online that the movie received financial assistance because of its historical connection to Lagos and its portrayal of the 1980s era.

Responding to the question, Faithia dismissed the reports and described them as false assumptions that do not reflect the reality behind the production of the film.

According to her, the journey of making Efunroye was personally demanding and required years of planning, sacrifice, and private contributions from investors who chose not to make their identities public.

She explained that many people concluded that the scale of the production automatically meant there was political involvement, especially because the story is deeply rooted in Lagos history. However, she insisted that no official support came from the state despite efforts made to involve relevant bodies.

Speaking further, she revealed that letters were written to Lagos State ahead of the premiere in hopes of receiving recognition and participation because of the cultural value of the project. She added that invitations were also extended, but things did not happen the way many people assumed.

Faithia noted that the only notable encouragement she received came from the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whom she appreciated for showing support toward the project.

The actress also spoke emotionally about her connection to Lagos, explaining that although she is not originally from the state, a huge part of her creative journey and contribution has been tied to Lagos over the years.

She said the movie was created out of passion for storytelling and cultural preservation, not because of political relationships or special privileges.

When asked her how she felt seeing different narratives spread online about the film’s funding shortly after its cinema release.

Faithia said people should learn to verify information before spreading it publicly, adding that many assumptions on social media often ignore the hard work and personal struggles filmmakers go through behind closed doors.

Released on May 1, 2026, Efunroye: The Unicorn continues to show in cinemas nationwide and has remained one of the most discussed indigenous epic films currently in circulation.

The movie, inspired by the life and influence of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, has attracted attention for its strong cultural representation, detailed production, and historical storytelling.