Iyabo Ojo is a Nigerian actress, producer and filmmaker whose career has evolved significantly since she entered Nollywood in the late 1990s. She first built her reputation as an actress in Yoruba-language movies before expanding into film production and, more recently, directing. Her latest project, Ms. Bomboki, has now opened another chapter in that journey, following the theatrical success of Labake Olododo and The Return of Arinzo.
For NollySearch, Iyabo Ojo’s story is particularly interesting because her career is no longer defined only by the movies in which she acts. She has increasingly taken control of the production process, creating films for cinema audiences and building a stronger identity as a filmmaker.
Who Is Iyabo Ojo?
Iyabo Ojo, whose full name is Alice Iyabo Ogunro, is a Nigerian actress, film producer and director. She began acting professionally in 1998 and later became one of the recognizable names in Yoruba-language cinema.
Her career has included acting, producing, directing and other entertainment ventures. After years of appearing in films, she began producing her own projects, gradually developing from a screen actress into a more influential figure behind the camera.
Iyabo Ojo’s Early Life and Education
Iyabo Ojo was born on December 21, 1977, in Lagos State, Nigeria, to parents with roots in Ogun State. She developed an interest in acting while she was still in secondary school and participated in a drama group during her teenage years.
She later studied Estate Management at Lagos State Polytechnic. However, her interest in performance remained strong, eventually leading her to pursue acting professionally and join the Actors Guild of Nigeria.
Her entry into the industry came at a time when Yoruba-language home-video productions were becoming a major part of Nigeria’s entertainment economy. This gave her an opportunity to develop her craft while working alongside established Yoruba actors.
How Iyabo Ojo Started Acting
Iyabo Ojo began her acting career in 1998. One of her earliest film roles came in the English-language movie Satanic, before she moved further into Yoruba-language productions.
Her Yoruba film debut came with Baba Darijinwon in 2002. That transition became important because Yoruba cinema would eventually become a major part of her professional identity.
Over the years, she appeared in numerous productions and built a reputation for taking on different types of characters. Her growing experience eventually gave her the confidence to move beyond acting and begin creating her own films.
Iyabo Ojo’s Transition Into Film Production
A major turning point in Iyabo Ojo’s career came when she started producing her own films in 2004. Her early production credits included Bolutife, followed by projects such as Bofeboko, Ololufe, Esan and Okunkun Biribiri.
Producing changed the nature of her career. Instead of simply waiting for roles from other filmmakers, Ojo could develop projects, participate in creative decisions and create opportunities for herself and other performers.
That transition is important to understanding her current position in Nollywood. Her career has gradually moved from being primarily about performance to also being about ownership, storytelling and production.
Iyabo Ojo’s Movies and Acting Career
Iyabo Ojo has appeared in a large number of Nigerian films throughout her career. Her filmography includes Yoruba-language productions as well as projects made for wider Nigerian audiences.
Some of her notable film credits include Baba Darijinwon, Silence, Beyond Disability, Labake Olododo, The Return of Arinzo and other Yoruba productions.
Her acting career gave her a strong understanding of what works on screen and how audiences respond to indigenous stories. That experience has also influenced the type of films she has chosen to produce.
Labake Olododo and Iyabo Ojo’s Producer Career
Labake Olododo represented an important stage in Ojo’s development as a contemporary film producer. The Yoruba-language film, directed by Biodun Stephen, featured Ojo alongside Muyiwa Ademola, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Akintola, Odunlade Adekola and other Nigerian actors.
The film enjoyed a significant theatrical run after its March 2025 release and reportedly earned more than ₦200 million at the box office. Its performance strengthened the case for commercially successful Yoruba-language cinema and gave Ojo another major production credit.
The project also showed how Ojo’s career had changed. She was no longer simply appearing in Yoruba films. She was helping put together productions designed specifically for the cinema market.
The Return of Arinzo
Ojo took another major step with The Return of Arinzo, which marked her directorial debut. The film premiered in Lagos in March 2026 before its theatrical release in April.
The production featured Funke Akindele, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Akintola, Uzor Arukwe, Yinka Quadri, Priscilla Ojo and Enioluwa Adeoluwa among others. According to figures shared by Ojo, the film went on to cross ₦351 million at the Nigerian and West African box office.
The result gave Ojo an important new identity within Nollywood. She was now not only acting and producing but also directing a feature film that achieved a substantial theatrical run.
Iyabo Ojo’s New Film, Ms. Bomboki
Iyabo Ojo’s next major project is Ms. Bomboki, which is scheduled for a 2027 cinema release through FilmOne Entertainment. Ojo announced the project in August 2026 by unveiling its teaser poster and asking audiences to anticipate the film.
Details about the plot, cast, director and exact release date have not yet been fully announced. However, the early theatrical campaign is significant because it shows Ojo continuing to build momentum around her identity as a filmmaker and producer.
Ms. Bomboki follows Labake Olododo and The Return of Arinzo, giving Ojo a developing run of cinema-focused projects.
Iyabo Ojo as a Modern Nollywood Filmmaker
The most interesting part of Iyabo Ojo’s career is the transformation from actress to filmmaker. Her early years were built around securing acting roles, while her current career gives her greater control over the stories, productions and theatrical projects she helps bring to audiences.
That evolution also reflects a wider change within Nollywood. More actors are becoming producers and directors, allowing established performers to use their industry experience to create their own projects.
Ojo’s career therefore offers a useful example of how a Nigerian actress can build longevity by expanding her role within the film business.
Who Is Iyabo Ojo’s Husband?
Iyabo Ojo was previously married to Ademidun Ojo, and the marriage produced two children, Felix and Priscilla Ojo. Her daughter, Priscilla, has also become a prominent figure in Nigerian entertainment.
Ojo has generally kept some aspects of her private life away from her professional career. Her public identity today is increasingly associated with acting, filmmaking and her work within the Nigerian entertainment industry.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Iyabo Ojo
Who is Iyabo Ojo?
Iyabo Ojo is a Nigerian actress, producer and filmmaker known particularly for her work in Yoruba-language cinema.
How old is Iyabo Ojo?
Iyabo Ojo was born on December 21, 1977. She is 48 years old in 2026.
What movies has Iyabo Ojo produced?
Her production credits include Bolutife, Bofeboko, Ololufe, Esan, Okunkun Biribiri, Labake Olododo and The Return of Arinzo.
What is Iyabo Ojo’s latest movie?
Her upcoming movie is Ms. Bomboki, which is scheduled for release in Nigerian cinemas in 2027.
Is Iyabo Ojo a director?
Yes. She made her directorial debut with The Return of Arinzo in 2026.
What is Iyabo Ojo known for?
She is known for her long acting career in Nollywood and her transition into film production and directing.
Conclusion
Iyabo Ojo’s Nollywood journey is no longer simply the story of an actress with a long filmography. It is the story of a performer who gradually moved behind the camera and developed herself as a producer and director.
From her early acting roles to Labake Olododo, The Return of Arinzo and the upcoming Ms. Bomboki, Ojo has increasingly taken ownership of her career and the stories she wants to bring to audiences. Her continued theatrical ambitions make her one of the Nigerian filmmakers worth watching as the next phase of her career develops.
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