Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has sparked fresh conversations online after responding to criticism about using dance as a promotional tool for her movies. The actress made her stance clear while sharing promotional content for her upcoming film, Arinzo, which is scheduled to premiere in cinemas this month.
Taking to her Instagram page, the actress questioned why she should avoid dancing simply because some people do not approve of the method. She explained that marketing strategies differ, and what works for one person may not necessarily work for another. In her post, she jokingly asked, “Make I no dance to promote my movie nke?” — a statement that reflected both confidence and playful defiance toward critics.
The conversation around movie promotion styles had earlier been stirred by fellow filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, who during one of his movie premieres said he was not particularly focused on making billions in cinema revenue if he could not earn at least ten million from his projects. He also expressed criticism toward colleagues who frequently dance online to promote their movies. His comments generated mixed reactions across social media, with some supporting his professional stance while others defended creative marketing approaches.
Responding to similar discussions in the past, Funke Akindele clarified that she was not responsible for any colleague’s success or failure. She advised against allowing jealousy to influence professional relationships, stressing that there is enough space for everyone to succeed in the entertainment industry. She later shared videos of herself dancing while promoting one of her highest-grossing films, showing that she sees entertainment and marketing as closely connected.
Actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde also joined the conversation by stating that she preferred not to dance as part of her movie promotion strategy. She explained that she focuses more on presenting quality film projects and allowing the work to speak for itself rather than relying on social media trends for publicity.
Meanwhile, Iyabo Ojo emphasized that individuals should focus on strategies that work best for them rather than judging how others choose to promote their work. She suggested that envy often fuels unnecessary criticism within the industry. In a strong statement, she said jealousy should be avoided, adding that 2026 is a year for action rather than unnecessary arguments.
Actress Chinyere Wilfred also contributed to the discussion by sharing her own dance video while subtly addressing the debate. She encouraged creatives to remain authentic in their promotional methods and focus on what works best for their personal brands.
