Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has announced that she will no longer mediate in the long-running disagreement between her colleagues, Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham. Her decision follows fresh tension between the two popular actresses, which has once again drawn attention across Nigeria’s film industry.
Ojo made her position known in a detailed post shared on her Instagram page on Tuesday. In the post, she responded to criticism from some social media users and explained her past efforts to make peace between both parties.
She said she felt the need to speak out after facing insults and negative comments over her involvement in the matter. According to her, this would be the first and last time she would publicly address the issue.
“For those of you maligning my character, insulting me, and calling me unprintable names, this is for you,” she wrote. “Now, I need to set the record straight.”
Ojo explained that her relationship with Akindele goes back many years. Like many friendships, it has had its ups and downs. She admitted that at one point, she publicly criticised Akindele online over issues linked to Abraham’s movie.
She described that action as a mistake and said she should have handled the situation in a better way.
“Funke and I have been friends for the longest, but there were times we fell out, fault on both sides,” she said. “I once came online to drag Funke because of Toyin’s movie. That was a wrong move on my part.”
She added that she later reconciled with Akindele, and both of them were able to resolve their differences.
After settling her own issues with Akindele, Ojo said she made serious efforts to bring both Akindele and Abraham together. According to her, she went as far as pleading with them to make peace.
“I tried my very best to settle both of them, cried, knelt down, begged both parties to embrace peace,” she said.
Her efforts appeared to pay off at the time, as both actresses were later seen interacting publicly. This gave fans the impression that the long-standing tension between them had been resolved.
Ojo revealed that the peace agreement came with a condition. Both actresses agreed that if any issues came up in the future, they would handle them privately and avoid public exchanges on social media.
However, the agreement did not last. Ojo explained that new problems started in December, linked to complaints made by Abraham about her film’s performance in cinemas.
According to Ojo, Abraham raised concerns that some individuals were trying to sabotage her movie. This led to speculation among fans, with some pointing fingers at Akindele.
The situation quickly escalated online, reigniting the rivalry between the two actresses and undoing the earlier peace efforts.
“…Toyin made some complaints about her movie in cinemas claiming some people or person was trying to sabotage her,” Ojo said. “Some fans pointed accusing fingers towards Funke, that sparked up a fresh beef.”
The issue gained more attention following a recent public event in Lagos. At the premiere of Ojo’s upcoming film held at the Balmoral Event Centre, a video clip surfaced online showing an awkward moment between the two actresses.
In the video, Abraham was seen greeting Ojo and other colleagues, including Mercy Aigbe. However, Akindele appeared to look away and did not acknowledge Abraham as she passed by.
The clip quickly went viral on social media, with many fans interpreting the moment as a sign that the disagreement between the two actresses had not been resolved.
This renewed public interest in their relationship, leading to fresh debates and reactions from fans across the country.
The situation highlights the growing influence of social media in shaping public perception within Nollywood. Disputes that might have remained private in the past are now often played out in the public space.
Fans closely follow the activities of their favourite actors and actresses, and even small actions can lead to widespread speculation. This has made it more difficult for celebrities to manage personal disagreements without public attention.
Despite her earlier efforts to bring peace, Ojo has now decided to step away completely from the situation. She said she no longer wants to be involved in trying to resolve the dispute.
“Honestly, all this saddened me because the sky is big enough for all,” she said. “I have tried my best, but at this point, I can’t beg anyone anymore.”
She added that she still cares about both actresses and hopes they will resolve their differences on their own when they are ready.
“I honestly don’t want to get involved anymore. Please, you all should respect that,” she wrote. “When both parties are ready, they will make peace. I love them both regardless.”
The renewed tension between Akindele and Abraham has once again drawn attention to competition within Nollywood. Both actresses are among the industry’s biggest stars, known for producing successful films that attract large audiences.
Their movies often compete at the box office, especially during festive periods when cinemas record high attendance. This competition, while healthy in many cases, can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and rivalry.
However, many stakeholders believe that collaboration rather than conflict will help the industry grow even further. Nollywood remains one of the largest film industries in the world, producing hundreds of movies each year and providing jobs for thousands of people.
Amid the controversy, Ojo also used the opportunity to promote her upcoming movie, The Return of Arinzo. She revealed that Abraham was initially part of the project but had to withdraw due to exhaustion and travel plans.
According to Ojo, the last-minute change affected the production, as parts of the script had to be rewritten. Despite the challenges, she said the project moved forward.
The film is scheduled to premiere in cinemas across Nigeria from April 3. Ojo expressed optimism about its success and encouraged fans to support the project.
As the situation continues to unfold, many fans are hoping that Akindele and Abraham will eventually settle their differences. Both actresses have strong fan bases and have made significant contributions to Nollywood.
For now, Ojo has made it clear that she is stepping aside and focusing on her own work. Her decision marks a turning point in the ongoing story, leaving the next steps in the hands of the two actresses involved.
Whether peace will return soon remains uncertain, but the conversation around unity and professionalism in Nollywood is likely to continue.