Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has stated she is prepared to collaborate with any political party to advance Nigeria’s development, following scrutiny over a promotional video she created for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The video, shared by FAAN on social media platform X, featured Ojo praising improvements at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport. She accompanied the post with the caption: “FAAN is changing for the better in so many ways. I’m so proud of my country.”
The endorsement sparked controversy due to Ojo’s well-documented political opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration during the 2023 elections, where she publicly supported Labour Party candidate Peter Obi. Critics questioned the sincerity of her praise, prompting FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, to clarify that Ojo was neither awarded a contract nor appointed as an official ambassador.
In response, Ojo asserted her action was voluntary and motivated by patriotism. Via her Instagram, she explained that FAAN had approached her to help publicize observed progress. “I did it for free. No contract. Just love for Nigeria,” she wrote, adding that she would leverage her platform to promote national development regardless of political affiliation. “I will work with any political party as long as it is building a better tomorrow for our dear nation,” she stated.
This incident occurs amid broader efforts by supporters of President Tinubu, including his son Seyi Tinubu, to mobilize celebrities and influencers for the administration’s re-election campaign. Reports indicate Ojo’s FAAN video was published shortly after she met with Seyi Tinubu in Lagos, a meeting that had already drawn public attention.
Ojo’s stance underscores the complex role of celebrities in Nigeria’s political discourse, where public praise for government projects can be interpreted through partisan lenses. Her declaration of cross-party cooperation highlights a narrative of national unity over political alignment, though critics remain skeptical. The situation reflects ongoing debates about the influence of high-profile figures in shaping public perception of governmental performance.
The FAAN video and Ojo’s subsequent comments have intensified discussions on social media regarding the authenticity of celebrity endorsements and the visibility of infrastructure projects in Nigeria’s development agenda. No official response from the Tinubu administration or FAAN has addressed the political dimensions of the controversy.
