They Said a Married Man Bought My Car”: Filmmaker Aniebiet Francis Reflects on Controversies That Have Traced Her Success
Nollywood filmmaker and Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on New Media, Aniebiet Francis, has taken to social media to open up about the persistent wave of controversies that have trailed her achievements over the years — from the time she was a student to her current standing in politics and entertainment.
In a candid and emotionally resonant Facebook post on Wednesday, Francis described how every milestone in her life and career has been met with speculation, gossip, and accusations — mostly rooted in misogyny, envy, and societal bias against women who rise independently.
“Dear God, I am due for a new controversy,” she wrote in her post, a phrase that has now become viral.
Aniebiet Francis’ reflections began with a look back at her days in the university. Even then, she said, her determination and ability to create support systems for herself were misunderstood.
“In my university days, they said I was sleeping with my support system,” she recalled, alluding to the persistent assumption that any help a woman receives must be rooted in sexual favors.
This marked the beginning of a recurring theme: people attempting to delegitimize her success and support structures by assigning scandalous or salacious motives behind them.
One of the major flashpoints in her journey was when she received her first car — a gesture she says came from the then-Governor of Akwa Ibom State in appreciation of her contributions. However, this milestone quickly turned into a whirlwind of malicious rumors.
“When I got my first car, a gift from my Governor, they said a married man or men bought it for me,” she stated.
Despite the legitimacy of the gift and her clear contributions that merited such recognition, Aniebiet said the narrative was quickly hijacked by those eager to cast her as a beneficiary of illicit relationships.
In another instance, she spoke about purchasing a Lexus with her own money, only to be falsely accused of receiving it from a superior at work in exchange for romantic favors.
“I bought my Lexus, and suddenly my boss had bought it because I was his ‘babe,’” she wrote.
The repeated pattern of attributing her hard-earned possessions to the generosity of men — particularly married or powerful ones — is part of a broader societal issue in Nigeria where successful women are often assumed to be benefiting from male sponsors rather than their own merit.
When Aniebiet opened a restaurant, rather than being celebrated as a young entrepreneur contributing to the local economy, she was again the subject of gossip.
“I opened a restaurant, they said it was funded by my lesbian partner,” she shared.
In a conservative society where same-sex relationships are heavily stigmatized and often criminalized, this rumor was not only a personal attack but could have had serious social and legal implications.
Francis also recounted how, upon being appointed Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, many attributed the appointment to sexual favors rather than her qualifications and track record.
“I got appointed, they said I got it through sex,” she said bluntly.
Her appointment, which many in the creative and media space lauded as a move to integrate experienced communication professionals into governance, became another point of slander instead of celebration.
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In perhaps the most culturally nuanced accusation, Aniebiet revealed that after moving to a new location — presumably for work or living — some people claimed she must have used kayanmata, a traditional aphrodisiac and charm often linked to manipulation in relationships.
“I moved to a new spot, they said I used kayanmata.”
This line underscores the deeply embedded cultural misconceptions that often haunt women who achieve anything beyond the ordinary — especially when such success cannot be immediately traced to a visible male sponsor.
Aniebiet’s testimony is not isolated. Her experience echoes the lives of many Nigerian women in the public eye, where every gain comes at the cost of public scrutiny, vicious gossip, and the constant need to justify one’s success.
Women across entertainment, politics, tech, business, and even academia often find themselves battling the same stigma: that their success must somehow be “sexually earned” rather than deserved.
This culture of hypersexualized criticism is deeply rooted in misogyny and patriarchal discomfort with women who own their space unapologetically. For many, success is acceptable only when it’s quiet, modest, and preferably behind a man.
Despite the numerous attempts to tarnish her image, Aniebiet has chosen to embrace the backlash as an inevitable price of moving forward.
“Every milestone I hit attracts a controversy and every level I rise to births a new lie. But you know what? I’ll take progress with controversy over stagnation with pity any day.”
Her bold statement reflects a generation of women who are learning to wear their scars with pride, refusing to be broken by the weight of public judgment. It also offers encouragement to younger women pursuing careers in male-dominated or high-visibility spaces.
Following her post, many public figures, fans, and media personalities have expressed support for Francis, commending her resilience, transparency, and ability to stay focused in the face of negative commentary.
Several Facebook users flooded the comment section with solidarity messages:
“Your story is ours. Women are tired of being shamed for succeeding.”
“This country is not kind to ambitious women. Keep shining, Ani.”
“They’ll always talk. Let your results keep speaking louder.”
Many noted that her choice to speak out not only protects her legacy but creates room for dialogue on the societal reforms needed to protect women in leadership and creative spaces.
Aniebiet Francis is best known for her contributions to Nollywood as a screenwriter, producer, and director. Over the years, her work has explored themes of womanhood, identity, and resilience. Her transition into public service — specifically new media strategy and communications for the Akwa Ibom State Government — marked a significant evolution in her career.
In both domains, she has remained a voice of clarity, creativity, and community engagement. Her experiences, as shared in the post, reveal just how difficult it is to maintain that voice in the midst of societal noise, especially as a woman.
Aniebiet’s parting words in the viral post weren’t bitter or defeated — they were assertive, self-aware, and filled with a subtle kind of optimism.
“So I wake up every morning, look up to the heavens, and say: Dear God, I am due for a new controversy.”
What could have been a lament has become a badge of honor. In her world, controversy is now a signal of movement — that something is happening, that she is pushing forward, that people are noticing.
It’s a paradigm shift for women in Nigeria — a declaration that you can be powerful, controversial, and still stand tall.
And like Aniebiet Francis, many women are beginning to say: Let them talk — we’re still moving.