NIGERIA: Nollywood star Iyabo Ojo has achieved a major milestone in her filmmaking career as her latest project, Return of Arinzo, delivered a record-breaking performance during the Easter weekend at the Nigerian box office.
The film grossed ₦104.8 million from April 3 to April 5, 2026, emerging as the highest-grossing movie of the holiday period and setting new benchmarks for Nollywood productions. It marks the biggest Easter weekend opening ever for a local film and stands as the strongest debut for any Nollywood sequel to date.
Ojo took to social media to express her gratitude to fans, stating: “Thank you, everyone, for the love you showed us. TROA opens with ₦104.8m, breaking multiple records in just one weekend. Highest grossing Easter weekend performance, biggest opening for a Nollywood sequel. This was only possible because of you.”
FilmOne Entertainment, the distributor, confirmed the impressive figures and praised the audience turnout. “₦104.8M in its opening weekend, biggest Easter opening, and the highest-grossing film of the weekend,” the company announced. It further noted that the success goes beyond numbers, describing it as “what it looks like when a story connects… when people see themselves on screen and show up for it. West Africa, you didn’t just watch, you showed up… you filled the cinemas.”
Return of Arinzo serves as a sequel to the popular 2013 Yoruba-language film Arinzo. The story revolves around a character believed to be dead who returns amid themes of revenge, identity, family betrayals, and high-stakes political scandals. The production features an ensemble cast that includes heavyweight names such as Funke Akindele and Mercy Aigbe, alongside other prominent actors from both the Nigerian and Ghanaian film industries.
The strong opening positions the film as the second-highest grossing debut of 2026 so far and confirms its dominance as the top-performing title at cinemas across Nigeria over the Easter break. Industry observers see the result as a positive sign for the continued appeal of well-crafted local sequels that resonate deeply with regional audiences.
The momentum generated over the holiday weekend, combined with growing word-of-mouth, suggests Return of Arinzo could enjoy a robust theatrical run in the coming weeks. Ojo’s achievement further cements her growing influence as both an actress and a producer capable of driving significant commercial success in Nollywood.
