Arinze was born in Onitsha, Anambra State to a Yoruba father and an Igbo mother. He is a descent of Badagry, Lagos State. He attended Victory College of Commerce in Ilorin, then proceeded to Taba Commercial College in Kaduna State to complete his secondary education. He studied Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University. He is popularly known as Black Arrow which he gained from a role he played.
He started his acting career in Ilorin.