Iyabo Ojo explains the role of voodoo in African storytelling during a BBC 1Xtra interview about her film The Return of Arinzo

Nigerian actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has spoken about the role of traditional spiritual themes in African cinema, saying filmmakers must stay true to cultural realities when telling local stories.

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The Nollywood star made the remarks during a media chat with BBC 1Xtra while discussing her new film The Return of Arinzo.

She addressed questions about the use of special effects and mystical elements in African films, arguing that such depictions reflect long-standing cultural beliefs and storytelling traditions.

Responding to concerns that audiences may not take Nollywood seriously because of these portrayals, she said African filmmakers should not shy away from their identity.

“What do you say to people who might not take Nollywood seriously because of those special effects?” she was asked.

Iyabo Ojo, known for her strong screen presence and production work, responded that African stories must be told in their authentic form, even when they include spiritual or mystical elements.

“It’s Africa, and we have to tell our story the way it is, no matter how much we want to westernise it or modernise it. There are voodoo in Africa, and they work. So whether you like it or not or accept it, it’s what we call Ayetta,” she said.

She added that such elements are sometimes exaggerated for cinematic effect, but they remain rooted in cultural imagination and lived belief systems across parts of the continent.

“Sometimes it’s comical, but sometimes we’re being dead serious. This is what it could be,” she added.

The Iyabo Ojo black magic interview has since sparked discussions among film enthusiasts and cultural commentators, with many debating the balance between cultural authenticity and modern storytelling in Nollywood.

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The actress has remained a prominent figure in Nigeria’s film industry, both as a performer and producer, with a growing focus on culturally driven storytelling projects.