Iyabo Ojo was born as Alice Iyabo Ogunro on 21 December 1977 in Lagos, Nigeria, although her father was from Abeokuta, Ogun State. She is the youngest of three children, having two older brothers.
She attended National College in Gbagada, Lagos, before enrolling at Lagos State Polytechnic to pursue a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Estate Management
Having been involved in a drama group at secondary school, Iyabo Ojo commenced her acting career in 1998. She registered with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) with the help of Bimbo Akintola and was also able to network to other people
Ojo has scripted and featured in several Nigerian films. Her first role was in 1998's Satanic, an English-language film. In 2002, she made her Yoruba-language debut with Baba Darijinwon.In January 2015, her film Silence, which features Joseph Benjamin Alex Usifo, Fathia Balogun, and Doris Simeon, premiered at the Silverbird Cinemas, Ikeja, in Lagos.
In 2004, Ojo started producing her own films. Her first production was Bolutife, after which she made Bofeboko, Ololufe, Esan and Okunkun Biribiri. She also divorced her husband before her fame started.
Marrying a Lagos-based Clearing Agent in 1999, when she was 21, Iyabo took a break from pursuing her career. She gave birth to a son and then a daughter (born in 1999 and 2001 respectively), namely Felix Ojo and Priscilla Ajoke Ojo, but is now divorced from their father.She has attributed the breakup of her first marriage to marrying too young.She has spoken of her intention to stop using her former husband's surname, Ojo.
Iyabo Ojo made headlines when the Lagos State Government issued her a notice, demanding payment of ₦18,640,092.00 as personal income tax within seven days, or face penalty.
According to the government's letter, Iyabo Ojo was accused of owing ₦7,376,000.00 in taxes for the year 2022, as well as ₦11,264,092 in back taxes for the 2021 tax year. In response, the actress took to her Instagram page to express her dissatisfaction with the tax assessment process, questioning the basis for the exorbitant amount she was being asked to pay.
In her post, Iyabo Ojo addressed Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, and the Lagos State Government, highlighting that she had already paid several taxes related to her businesses and personal assets. She questioned the rationale behind the additional charges.
The actress further emphasized that despite complying with the government's request to declare her income and explaining her financial situation through her tax consultant, she did not receive a satisfactory response. She expressed frustration over the perceived lack of assistance or support from the government, while being burdened with an overwhelming tax obligation.
She concluded her post by stating her willingness to face any consequences, including the closure of her business or potential legal actions, as she believed the tax demand was unreasonable. Iyabo emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in the tax assessment process and questioned the government's contributions to her personal and professional life.
As a prominent figure in the Nigerian entertainment industry, Iyabo Ojo's public dispute with the Lagos State Government over her tax obligations has sparked discussions among the public and media regarding tax assessment practices and the relationship between the government and individuals in Nigeria.
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