Iyabo Ojo Breaks Silence on Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham Drama at Movie Premiere
Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has finally spoken out following the much-discussed tension between her colleagues Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham during the premiere of her latest movie, The Return of Arinzo. The event, held on Sunday night, drew a star-studded crowd of celebrities, fans, and industry insiders, but it was overshadowed by the apparent drama between the two prominent actresses.
A Focus on Gratitude Amidst the Buzz
Despite the swirling rumors and public interest in the Akindele-Abraham saga, Iyabo Ojo took a different approach. Instead of addressing the conflict directly, she penned a heartfelt note of gratitude, celebrating the success of her movie launch. In her message, she expressed deep appreciation to everyone involved, steering attention back to her work.
Iyabo wrote, "I want to start by giving thanks to God Almighty for making the premiere launch of The Return of Arinzo a beautiful success. I won't mention names as this write-up won't be enough, but know that I appreciate every single one of you. I'm standing on all existing protocols and saying thank you."
She thanked a wide range of contributors, including organizers, co-executive producers, actors, crew members, PR team, glam team, hosts, media, vendors, event planners, and her entire team. Additionally, she extended gratitude to guests, celebrities, friends, loved ones, content creators, comedians, musicians, and family members for their support through attendance, ticket purchases, content creation, prayers, and celebrations.
Movie Release and Fan Reactions
Iyabo further announced that The Return of Arinzo will officially hit cinemas nationwide on April 3, 2026, urging fans to spread the word. Her calm and appreciative tone has been interpreted as a strategic move to maintain professionalism and focus on her cinematic achievement.
Netizens reacted positively to her post, flooding the comments with congratulatory messages. For instance:
- _c33why_ said: "I love you mummy."
- juxpriscyplus commented: "Congratulations to God's own favourite. London awaits. #thereturnofarinzomovie."
- enioluwaofficial wrote: "Let's goooooo!!! Congratulations Mama. Opening weekend!!"
- isioma_yocambel added: "You're so beautiful queen mother. Congratulations. You've done well. You're a good person and you show up for people always, that's why a lot of people came through and show up for you."
Background and Industry Context
The premiere, which took place on March 30, 2026, was a significant event in Nollywood, but it became a topic of wider discussion due to the involvement of Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham. Iyabo Ojo's response highlights her ability to navigate industry dynamics while promoting her project. This incident follows other recent feuds in the entertainment world, such as Mercy Aigbe's cryptic comments on her relationship with Funke Akindele.
In related news, Portable recently criticized Iyabo Ojo over her comments on single mothers, questioning her stance in a viral video. However, Iyabo has not addressed this controversy in her latest post, keeping the focus on her movie premiere and the support she received.
As Nollywood continues to buzz with this ongoing saga, Iyabo Ojo's appreciative post serves as a reminder of the importance of gratitude and professionalism in the face of public scrutiny. Her approach has resonated with fans, who are now eagerly anticipating the release of The Return of Arinzo in cinemas next month.
