Iyabo Ojo

Iyabo Ojo, born on December 21, 1977, as Alice Iyabo Ogunro, hails from Lagos State, Nigeria, but her father originally comes from Abeokuta, Ogun State. She is the youngest of three children, having two older brothers. She completed her schooling at National College, Gbagbada, in Lagos before pursuing a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Estate Management at Lagos State Polytechnic.

Iyabo Ojo's passion for acting emerged during her time in secondary school when she actively participated in the drama group. In 1998, she officially began her acting career, making her debut in the English-language film "Satanic." The success of this role propelled her into the limelight, and she subsequently expanded her repertoire to include Yoruba-language films, starting with "Baba Darijinwon" in 2002. Over the years, she has written scripts and appeared in numerous Nigerian films, showcasing her talent and versatility.

In 2004, Iyabo Ojo ventured into film production, establishing her own production company, Iyabo Ojo Films Production. Her first production, "Bolutife," was followed by other successful projects such as "Bofeboko," "Ololufe," "Esan," and "Okunkun Biribiri." Through her production company, she has created compelling movies that often explore themes of love, marriage, and Christian faith.

In May 2011, Iyabo Ojo launched the Pinkies Foundation, an NGO dedicated to supporting children with special needs and the less privileged. The foundation aims to empower and improve the lives of disadvantaged children in Nigeria. In 2015, she also starred in the movie "Beyond Disability," which shed light on the challenges faced by people living with disabilities.

Iyabo Ojo's significant contributions to the Nigerian film industry have garnered her recognition and accolades. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards, including the Best Crossover Actress at the African Film Awards in 2007, the Best Actress of the Year (Yoruba) at the City People Movie Award in 2015, and the Best Supporting Actress at the Best of Nollywood Awards in 2012, among others.

At the age of 21, Iyabo Ojo married a Lagos-based movie marketer, which prompted her to take a break from her career pursuits. During this time, she gave birth to a son and a daughter, Felix Ojo and Priscilla Ajoke Ojo, respectively. However, she is now divorced from their father, attributing the breakup to marrying at a young age. Iyabo Ojo expressed her intention to stop using her former husband's surname, Ojo.