Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has defended her decision to kneel while greeting elders, dismissing claims that the gesture reflects insincerity or “eye service.”
The actress stated that her actions are deeply rooted in her upbringing and cultural identity, rather than an attempt to impress or seek favour.
The controversy followed a viral video from the birthday celebration of former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, where Abraham was seen kneeling to greet prominent guests, including billionaire businessman Razaq Okoya and his wife, Shade Okoya.
The clip sparked mixed reactions online, with some critics describing her actions as “abosi,” a Yoruba term often used to suggest pretence or flattery.
Responding to the backlash, Abraham maintained that kneeling to greet elders is a long-standing cultural practice she was raised with and continues to uphold with pride. She noted that such gestures are symbols of respect in Yoruba tradition and should not be misinterpreted as acts of servility or insincerity.
“I have seen the various opinions regarding the manner in which I greeted some elders at a recent event. It gives me pause to reflect on when we began to drift from our culture and traditions, to the point where kneeling as we were taught is now described as ‘abosi’,” she said.
The actress emphasised that her values were shaped from a young age, stressing that kneeling for elders is not optional for her but a defining part of her identity. According to her, the cultural practice represents honour and humility, which she believes should be preserved despite evolving societal norms.
“I, Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi, was raised to kneel when greeting those older than me. It is a value deeply rooted in who I am, and one I will continue to uphold with pride,” she added.
Abraham further expressed concern about what she described as a gradual erosion of cultural values, urging younger generations to remain connected to traditions that promote respect and discipline. She stated that modernisation should not come at the expense of long-standing cultural practices that define identity and community values.
“As a commitment to our heritage, I will remain intentional about passing these values on to the younger generations, in order to preserve and honour our culture,” she said.
While some social media users defended Abraham, praising her for upholding tradition, others argued that respect should not necessarily be expressed through physical gestures.
In an earlier response to a fan who advised her to “package” herself differently to avoid criticism, the actress remained resolute, stating that she would not abandon her principles to satisfy public opinion.
“I won’t stop kneeling to people who value and deserve it… no matter the status,” she declared.
