Veteran Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has entered the growing debate over modern movie promotion strategies. At a time when opinions remain sharply divided, the actress made it clear that she believes there are no fixed rules when it comes to selling a film.
The debate around Nollywood movie promotion intensified after filmmaker Kunle Afolayan openly criticised the trend of actors dancing or creating skits to market films.
However, his comments did not sit well with actress and producer Funke Akindele, who has famously used such strategies to push her movies to massive commercial success.
Meanwhile, Iyabo Ojo, while promoting her latest movie, took to Instagram to weigh in on the issue.
According to her, success has no single formula, and filmmakers should embrace whatever works for them.
In her words, she wrote:
“Who made the rules? Nobody you gotta answer to.
2026 ain’t for talkers — it’s for doers.
Do what works for YOU.
Let others win their way.
You win yours. Period.”
Moreover, her message resonated strongly with younger creatives who rely heavily on social media-driven promotion.
The clash between Kunle Afolayan and Funke Akindele had earlier highlighted the widening gap in Nollywood’s approach to marketing.
Kunle reportedly stated at a public function that he could not engage in dancing or similar online trends to promote his films.
However, it was alleged that Funke interpreted the remark as a subtle jab at her methods. Therefore, she responded, confronting him both online and through a direct phone call.
Iyabo Ojo’s intervention has, however, shifted the conversation. Rather than choosing sides, she reframed the debate around freedom and personal choice.
In addition, her comments suggest that Nollywood is evolving, and traditional promotion styles may no longer be enough in today’s fast-paced digital space.
