By Nimah Alabi
Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Iyabo Ojo’s, latest film, Return of Arinzo, has emerged as the biggest hit at the Nigerian box office over the Easter weekend.
The movie grossed ₦104.8 million in its opening weekend (April 3–5, 2026), making it the highest‑grossing film over the Easter holiday and the biggest opening for a Nollywood sequel this year, according to box office figures disclosed on Monday.
Ojo shared the milestone on social media, thanking cinema audiences for their support, and FilmOne Entertainment — the film’s distributor — confirmed that the strong performance reflects how the story resonated with viewers across Nigeria and West Africa.
Return of Arinzo is a sequel to the 2013 Yoruba blockbuster Arinzo, which was directed and produced by Iyabo Ojo, and featured a mix of Nollywood stars.
The new film continues the tale with themes of identity, revenge, family tensions and personal transformation, and stars a cast of well‑known actors, including Funke Akindele, Mercy Aigbe and William Benson.
Aside from the numbers, Return of Arinzo has been part of wider Nollywood conversations on social media.
A viral video which circulated sometimes last week from the Lagos premiere showed actress, Funke Akindele, seemingly snubbing Toyin Abraham, which rekindled talk about their ongoing industry tensions
Industry watchers see the film’s success as a sign of growing audience engagement with local Nollywood productions, especially continuations of beloved stories that connect with cinema‑goers on both emotional and cultural levels.
