The tension within Nollywood’s upper echelon has escalated dramatically following the premiere of Iyabo Ojo’s The Return of Arinzo on Sunday night, March 29, 2026. What was meant to be a celebration of industry talent at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos has instead become the focal point of a fresh, highly publicized rivalry between two of the industry’s biggest stars, Toyin Abraham and Funke Akindele.
The Incident
Footage from the event shows Toyin Abraham approaching a table occupied by Funke Akindele, Iyabo Ojo, and Mercy Aigbe. While Toyin knelt to greet the group and specifically addressed Akindele as “Aunty Funke,” Akindele appeared to ignore the gesture, keeping her gaze fixed away and not reciprocating the greeting. Toyin, visibly embarrassed, proceeded to greet Iyabo Ojo and others at the table before walking away.
The Aftermath
The social media fallout was swift and decisive:
- Social Media Unfollow: Within hours of the video going viral, it was confirmed that both actresses have unfollowed each other on Instagram.
- Toyin’s Public Vow: Toyin Abraham took to the comments section of social media posts discussing the incident to voice her frustration. She explicitly stated that she had unfollowed Akindele and vowed never to exchange pleasantries with her again, using strong language to emphasize her commitment to this stance.
- Husband’s Support: Toyin’s husband, Kolawole Ajeyemi, has subtly signaled his support for his wife by engaging with social media posts that defend her, further fueling the conversation among fans.
Public Reaction
The incident has sharply divided opinion online. Many fans have rallied behind Toyin Abraham, criticizing Akindele’s behavior as “unprofessional” and “disrespectful” given the public nature of the greeting. Conversely, others argue that Akindele is not obligated to be warm to a colleague with whom she has a complicated history, suggesting the interaction should have been handled more discreetly.
Despite the off-screen drama, The Return of Arinzo is drawing significant positive attention. Iyabo Ojo’s production, which has been praised for its star-studded cast and high-production value, is still on track for its nationwide cinema release this Friday, April 3, 2026.
