Lagos, Nigeria — Nigerian actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has announced she will no longer attempt to reconcile fellow Nollywood stars Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham after renewed tensions between them sparked debate within Nigeria’s film industry.
Okay News reports that Ojo disclosed her decision in a lengthy Instagram post shared on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, where she addressed criticism over her involvement and explained her previous reconciliation efforts.
“For those of you maligning my character, insulting me, and calling me unprintable names, this is for you!! Now, I need to set the record straight. This is the first and last time I will be talking about anything like this……”
Ojo explained that her relationship with Akindele stretches back several years, although it has not always been smooth.
“Funke and I have been friends for the longest, but there were times we fell out, fault on both sides. I once came online to drag Funke because of Toyin’s movie. That was a wrong move on my part; I should have handled it better.”
She said she later reconciled with Akindele and then attempted to mend the strained relationship between the two actresses.
“Funke and I later made up, and we addressed all our issues and put them behind us. I tried my very best to settle both of them, cried, knelt down, begged both parties to embrace peace which they both later did, reason you saw them a few months ago interacting with one another.”
According to Ojo, the reconciliation came with an agreement that any future disagreements would be handled privately.
“…but there was a condition, no one was to shade online if any issue arose, they both promised to address it off camera…”
However, she said the understanding broke down in December when controversy emerged around a cinema release.
“…but unfortunately, Dec came, Toyin made some complaints about her movie in cinemas claiming some people or person was trying to sabotage her, some fans pointed accusing fingers towards Funke, that sparked up a fresh beef.”
Ojo also addressed Abraham’s withdrawal from her film project, The Return of Arinzo.
“About The Return of Arinzo, Toyin was suppose to be in it but she said she was exhausted, and she also had to travel, so she pulled out last minute, i was upset boos it cost me alot, to rewrite the story, but the show must go on… she apologized, we made up, and the rest is history.”
She added that she no longer wishes to intervene in the disagreement.
“Honestly, all 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 anymore. Please, you all should respect that… when both parties are ready, they will make peace… I love them both regardless.”
The development follows renewed attention after a viral video from a film premiere at the Balmoral Event Centre in Lagos showed Abraham greeting Ojo and colleagues including Mercy Aigbe while Akindele appeared not to acknowledge her. The clip triggered widespread reactions on social media, with fans speculating about unresolved differences.
Ojo also used the opportunity to promote her upcoming film, noting that The Return of Arinzo is scheduled to premiere in cinemas nationwide on Friday, April 3, 2026.
