Actress Halima Abubakar has said many of her colleagues in the Nollywood film industry abandoned her during her battle with a serious illness.
Speaking in a video aired by Channels TV on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Abubakar said people she once considered friends distanced themselves after her health crisis became public, even as she struggled to defend herself against accusations and speculation surrounding her condition.
“They all ran away. They all stayed away because I was trying to fight for myself and some list came out. I just had to pick, I knew I was sick,” she said.
“There was no need to hide since they already brought out a picture and, you know, the evidence.”
Abubakar said she chose to tell her own story instead of involving others who may have experienced similar challenges, describing it as taking responsibility for herself. She added that despite her decision, she was criticized privately by some industry colleagues and was eventually suspended by her professional guild.
The actress also revealed that while a few people, including some musicians, offered financial support, many friends ignored her messages, leaving her to depend on help from outside her immediate professional circle during her recovery.
