Iyabo Ojo Steps Back from Mediation Between Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham Amid Renewed Industry Tensions
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has announced that she will no longer act as a mediator between her colleagues Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, citing fatigue after repeated reconciliation efforts and fresh tensions within the industry.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Ojo addressed critics, reflected on past interventions, and clarified her earlier attempts to foster peace between the two actresses. She emphasized that while there is room for everyone to succeed, she can no longer plead with either party to mend fences.
Ojo detailed the longstanding relationship she shares with Akindele, acknowledging past disagreements—including a previous public criticism of Akindele in support of Abraham’s film, a decision she said she now regrets. She explained that she had gone to great lengths to reconcile both actresses, including personal appeals and mediation, which had resulted in a temporary truce allowing the pair to interact publicly a few months ago. However, renewed complaints from Abraham about alleged sabotage during her film screenings in December reignited tensions.
Clarifying a separate issue, Ojo addressed Abraham’s last-minute withdrawal from her upcoming film, The Return of Arinzo. She said Abraham cited exhaustion and travel commitments as reasons for pulling out, which required costly script revisions to meet the April 3 release deadline. Despite initial frustrations, Ojo confirmed that both parties reconciled regarding the film.
“This saddened me because the sky is big enough for all. I have tried my best, but at this point, I can’t beg anyone anymore. I honestly don’t want to get involved,” Ojo wrote, urging fans to respect her decision and noting that reconciliation would happen when the actresses were ready. She reaffirmed her affection for both colleagues and announced that The Return of Arinzo will premiere nationwide on April 3, 2026.
The statement follows the star-studded premiere of the film on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Balmoral Event Centre in Lagos captured an awkward moment in which Abraham greeted Ojo and other colleagues, including Mercy Aigbe, before approaching Akindele, who appeared to ignore the greeting. The footage sparked online debate, with reports indicating that Akindele and Abraham subsequently unfollowed each other on Instagram, highlighting lingering friction.
Ojo’s decision to step back underscores the challenges of managing personal and professional relationships in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, particularly amid heightened public scrutiny and social media attention.