Iyabo Ojo Biography
Iyabo Ojo is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, producer and entrepreneur who has built a long-standing career in Nollywood, particularly within the Yoruba film industry. Born Alice Iyabo Ogunro on December 21, 1977, in Lagos State, she entered the Nigerian film industry professionally in the late 1990s and has since appeared in more than 150 films while also producing several projects of her own.
Over the years, Ojo has developed a career that extends beyond acting. She has worked as a producer and director, built businesses outside filmmaking and remained active in entertainment-related social causes. Her career has also continued to evolve as Nollywood has moved from traditional cinema and home-video production toward streaming platforms and larger theatrical productions.
Who Is Iyabo Ojo?
Iyabo Ojo is a Nigerian Nollywood actress, producer, director and entrepreneur. She is particularly recognized for her work in Yoruba-language movies, although she has also appeared in English-language productions.
She started her professional acting journey in 1998, after registering with the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Her early work included the English-language film Satanic, while her entry into Yoruba-language filmmaking became more established with Baba Darijinwon in 2002.
Rather than remaining solely an actress, Ojo gradually moved into filmmaking and production. She founded Fespris Production, through which she has developed and produced film projects.
Iyabo Ojo Age and Date of Birth
Iyabo Ojo was born on December 21, 1977, in Lagos State, Nigeria. She is 48 years old as of 2026.
Although she was born in Lagos, her family has roots in Abeokuta, Ogun State. She grew up in Lagos with her two older brothers and has described Lagos as an important part of her upbringing.
Iyabo Ojo Real Name
Her birth name is Alice Iyabo Ogunro. She is professionally known as Iyabo Ojo.
The surname Ojo became associated with her public identity through her former marriage. She has nevertheless continued to use Iyabo Ojo professionally throughout her career.
Iyabo Ojo Education
Iyabo Ojo attended National College in Gbagada, Lagos, before continuing her education at Lagos State Polytechnic, where she studied Estate Management and obtained a Higher National Diploma.
Her educational background was therefore not initially centered on acting. Her eventual move into professional entertainment demonstrates how her career developed in a different direction from her academic training.
Iyabo Ojo Acting Career
Iyabo Ojo began acting professionally in 1998. Her early years came during a period when Nigeria’s home-video industry was expanding rapidly and Yoruba-language productions were attracting large audiences.
Her career gained further attention after she became involved in Yoruba cinema. Baba Darijinwon, released in 2002, became one of the early films associated with her growth in the Yoruba film industry.
She subsequently appeared in numerous productions and developed a reputation for taking on different types of roles. Her filmography includes projects such as Bolutife, Ololufe, Silence and Beyond Disability.
Over the course of her career, she has featured in more than 150 films and produced more than a dozen projects, according to biographical sources.
Iyabo Ojo as a Film Producer
Production became another important part of Ojo’s career.
She launched her own production company in 2004, beginning with Bolutife. She subsequently produced other projects as she expanded her responsibilities behind the camera.
Her move into production gave her greater involvement in the development of stories rather than limiting her contribution to acting in front of the camera.
Iyabo Ojo as a Director
In 2026, Iyabo Ojo expanded her filmmaking career by making her directorial debut with The Return of Arinzo.
The film is a sequel connected to her earlier Arinzo project and features a large Nigerian and international African cast. Ojo served as director and executive producer.
The Return of Arinzo was released in Nigerian cinemas on April 3, 2026, and later received an international cinema release.
The project represented an important new stage in her career because she moved from producing and acting into directing a major theatrical production.
The Return of Arinzo
The Return of Arinzo is a 2026 thriller-drama featuring a large ensemble cast that includes Iyabo Ojo, Funke Akindele, Mercy Aigbe, Bimbo Akintola and several other Nigerian and African actors. Ojo served as the film’s director and was also involved in its production.
The movie was released across Nigerian cinemas in April 2026 and subsequently received a UK theatrical release.
By May 2026, the production company behind the movie announced that the film had surpassed ₦333.8 million at the West African box office. That figure was reported by the production company and represents its stated box-office milestone.
Iyabo Ojo Personal Life
Iyabo Ojo was previously married and has two children from that marriage. Her children are Felix Ojo and Priscilla Ajoke Ojo. She later divorced their father.
In recent years, her personal life has also attracted public attention because of her relationship with talent manager Paul Okoye, popularly known as Paul O. In 2026, reports continued to cover their relationship, including public appearances together.
Iyabo Ojo Children
Iyabo Ojo has two children, a son and a daughter.
Her daughter, Priscilla Ojo, has followed her mother into the entertainment industry and developed a public profile of her own. Her son, Felix Ojo, has generally maintained a lower public profile.
Ojo has spoken publicly over the years about balancing motherhood with her professional ambitions.
Iyabo Ojo Businesses and Other Work
Beyond acting and filmmaking, Iyabo Ojo has developed interests in entrepreneurship and entertainment-related ventures.
Her career has therefore combined acting, film production, directing, business activities and philanthropic work. This diversification has helped her remain active in the Nigerian entertainment industry for more than two decades.
Iyabo Ojo Current Career
As of 2026, Iyabo Ojo remains active in Nollywood as an actress, producer and filmmaker. Her biggest recent career development has been her move into directing through The Return of Arinzo.
Her continued involvement in theatrical filmmaking shows a career that has progressed from acting in early Nollywood productions to taking greater creative responsibility behind the camera.
Frequently Asked Questions About Iyabo Ojo
Who is Iyabo Ojo?
Iyabo Ojo is a Nigerian actress, producer, director and entrepreneur known particularly for her work in Yoruba-language Nollywood films.
What is Iyabo Ojo’s real name?
Her birth name is Alice Iyabo Ogunro. She is professionally known as Iyabo Ojo.
How old is Iyabo Ojo?
Iyabo Ojo was born on December 21, 1977, making her 48 years old in 2026.
Where is Iyabo Ojo from?
She was born in Lagos State and grew up in Lagos. Her family has roots in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
What did Iyabo Ojo study?
She attended Lagos State Polytechnic, where she studied Estate Management and obtained an HND.
When did Iyabo Ojo start acting?
She began her professional acting career in 1998 and later became established in Yoruba-language Nollywood.
Is Iyabo Ojo married?
Iyabo Ojo was previously married and is divorced. In 2026, she was publicly reported to be in a relationship with talent manager Paul Okoye.
How many children does Iyabo Ojo have?
She has two children, a son and a daughter.
What is Iyabo Ojo’s latest movie?
One of her major 2026 projects is The Return of Arinzo, which marked her directorial debut.
Did Iyabo Ojo direct The Return of Arinzo?
Yes. Iyabo Ojo served as the director of The Return of Arinzo, released in 2026.
