Iyabo Ojo is winning, she knows it, and she wants everyone else to know it too.
The veteran Nollywood actress has been on a quiet roll since her latest film, The Return of Arinzo, hit cinemas two weeks ago. The movie has grossed N224 million at the box office and held the number one spot for two consecutive weekends. For someone who has had no shortage of people rooting against her over the years, the timing of that success feels very deliberate in how she is choosing to celebrate it.
She did not make a grand announcement about the numbers. Instead, she let the energy do the talking. Posting photos of her look from veteran actress Ita Giwa’s 80th birthday dinner, where she showed up in a stunning red strapless gown that had her Instagram comments completely overwhelmed, Iyabo slipped in a line that was clearly aimed at a specific audience.
“If God be for you, no man can be against you no matter how hard they try,” she wrote, before thanking Nigeria and West Africa for the love and support that has pushed the film to where it is.
The red dress alone would have been enough to get people talking. Floor-length, fitted, dramatic neckline, dripping in beadwork, the kind of outfit that makes it very clear the person wearing it arrived with a point to prove. Paired with the caption she chose, it landed exactly the way it was intended to.
The Return of Arinzo is still showing in cinemas, and Iyabo is already expanding its reach. She confirmed that a UK premiere is locked in for April 25th, with Canada set to be announced soon.
Two weekends at number one, N224 million in the bag, a UK premiere on the horizon, and a birthday dinner outfit that broke the internet. Not a bad fortnight for someone her critics apparently expected to struggle.
