Ms. Iyabo Ojo

Ms. Iyabo Ojo is one of Nollywood’s most remarkable and resilient women. From her early days in Lagos to becoming a Nollywood powerhouse, reality TV sensation, skit maker, and fierce advocate for justice, she has consistently broken barriers and redefined what it means to be a modern African woman in entertainment. She attended National College in Gbagada, Lagos, before enrolling at Lagos State Polytechnic to study Estate Management.

Her acting career began in 1998 when she registered with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) with the help of Bimbo Akintola. Her rise to fame began with her debut in the English-language film Satanic, but it was her 2002 Yoruba-language role in Baba Darijinwon that truly cemented her place in Nollywood. Today, she has featured in over 150 films and produced more than 14 of her own. Her 2024 emotional drama Labake Olododo grossed over 50 million views at the box office within its release weekend, placing her firmly among Nollywood’s top creative minds. Her accolades include the Best Crossover Actress award at the African Film Awards (2007), Best Supporting Actress at the Best of Nollywood Awards (2012), and Best Actress of the Year at the CAMA Awards (2013).

Beyond acting, Iyabo Ojo is a serial entrepreneur and compassionate philanthropist. She founded Fespris Limited, a conglomerate that includes a restaurant, beauty salon, spa, event management company, and Fespris Production, a film production and distribution arm that also trains aspiring actors. She launched her NGO, Pinkies Foundation, in May 2011, which caters to children with special needs and the less privileged. She is a mother of two children, Festus Oladunjoye Ojo and Priscilla Ajoke Ojo, and raised them as a single mother after her marriage ended.