Iyabo Ojo bows out of Funke Akindele–Toyin Abraham feud after failed peace efforts

• Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has publicly declared that she will no longer attempt to reconcile her colleagues Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham
• Iyabo disclosed that she shares a long history with Akindele, marked by both friendship and past disagreements
• She admitted that the situation deeply saddened her, emphasising that there is enough room for everyone to thrive in Nollywood

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has announced her decision to step away from mediating the long-standing feud between Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, following renewed tensions between the two stars.

Iyabo made this known in a detailed Instagram post on Tuesday, where she addressed criticism over her involvement and clarified her previous efforts to reconcile both actresses.

“For those of you maligning my character, insulting me, and calling me unprintable names, this is for you!! Now, I need to set the record straight. This is the first and last time I will be talking about anything like this……”

She revealed that her relationship with Akindele spans several years, despite experiencing periods of disagreement.

“Funke and I have been friends for the longest, but there were times we fell out, fault on both sides. I once came online to drag Funke because of Toyin’s movie. That was a wrong move on my part; I should have handled it better.”

Iyabo explained that she eventually reconciled with Akindele and made conscious efforts to restore peace between her and Abraham.

“Funke and I later made up, and we addressed all our issues and put them behind us. I tried my very best to settle both of them, cried, knelt down, begged both parties to embrace peace which they both later did, reason you saw them a few months ago interacting with one another.”

According to her, the reconciliation came with a clear agreement that disagreements would be handled privately.

“…but there was a condition, no one was to shade online if any issue arose, they both promised to address it off camera…”

However, that truce reportedly collapsed after fresh controversy emerged in December, linked to a cinema release.

“…but unfortunately, Dec came, Toyin made some complaints about her movie in cinemas claiming some people or person was trying to sabotage her, some fans pointed accusing fingers towards Funke, that sparked up a fresh beef.”

Iyabo also addressed Abraham’s absence from her upcoming film project, The Return of Arinzo, revealing that the actress had initially been cast.

“About The Return of Arinzo, Toyin was suppose to be in it but she said she was exhausted, and she also had to travel, so she pulled out last minute, i was upset boos it cost me alot, to rewrite the story, but the show must go on… she apologised, we made up, and the rest is history.”

Despite her repeated efforts, Ojo said she has now chosen to step back completely from the situation.

“Honestly, all this saddened me because the sky is big enough for all. I have tried my best, but at this point, I can’t beg anyone anymore. I honestly don’t want to get involved anymore. Please, you all should respect that… when both parties are ready, they will make peace… I love them both regardless.”

She also used the opportunity to promote her film, The Return of Arinzo, which is set to premiere in cinemas nationwide from April 3.

The development comes amid renewed scrutiny of the relationship between Akindele and Abraham, following a viral moment at the film’s premiere at the Balmoral Event Centre.

In the widely circulated clip, Abraham was seen greeting colleagues, including Mercy Aigbe, while Akindele appeared to avoid eye contact as Abraham passed by.

The incident has since sparked widespread reactions online, with fans speculating that unresolved tensions still linger between the two Nollywood stars.