Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo is gearing up for a major cinematic return, unveiling the cast for her upcoming film, 'The Return of Arinzo'. The announcement, made on Monday, January 19, 2026, has generated significant buzz, particularly for featuring two high-profile debutantes: Mohbad's widow, Omowunmi 'Wunmi' Aloba, and Tanzanian music star Juma Jux.
A Pan-African Cast and Production
The new project follows the success of Iyabo Ojo's 2025 release, Labake Olododo. Production for The Return of Arinzo reportedly commenced last year and represents a collaborative effort spanning three African nations: Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania. This international scope is reflected in the diverse cast, which aims to bring together talent from across the continent.
Beyond the headline-grabbing debuts, the film boasts a heavyweight lineup of Nollywood veterans. The cast includes celebrated actresses like Funke Akindele and Mercy Aigbe, alongside other notable names such as Scarlet Gomez, veteran actor Kanayo O. Kanayo, Uzor Arukwe, Muka Ray, Iyabo Ojo's daughter Priscilla Ojo, and Bimbo Akintola.
Social Media Erupts with Excitement
The reveal clip shared on Iyabo Ojo's Instagram page instantly captivated fans and followers. The inclusion of Wunmi Aloba, who has been in the public eye following the tragic passing of her husband, the singer Mohbad, drew an outpouring of supportive comments.
Many netizens expressed their joy at seeing her embark on a new venture. Comments like "Queen wunmi ooooo, Thank you so muchhhhhh queen mother we love you" from user bisola_tio_common and "Omowunmi ni seh thank u Queen mother for always putting a smile on that lady’s face" from mama_kay_collection_ flooded the post.
The cross-border collaboration also thrilled audiences. User labeyonce25 noted, "Wooow dis is a real movie Hausa, Yoruba, igbo, Ghana and Tanzania," while cute.lammy appreciated the unity, stating, "thanks for bringing these country together ( African we are one in Jux voice )."
Behind the Scenes and Past Controversies
On the production side, the team includes nightlife entrepreneur Soso Soberekon and Abazee Productions, indicating a robust backing for the film. The project is highly anticipated, with fans like beembhola already calling it the "Movie of the year."
This positive news comes amid other headlines involving Iyabo Ojo. The article references a previous report where actress Lizzy Anjorin criticized Ojo for her conduct and appearance at the funeral service of late colleague Allwell Ademola, accusing her of being insincere and attention-seeking.
Nevertheless, the focus remains firmly on the new film. 'The Return of Arinzo' is slated for release later in the year, promising a unique blend of established Nollywood excellence and fresh, intriguing talent that has already captured the public's imagination.
