Award-winning Nollywood actress and producer Funke Akindele has described herself as a self-made star, crediting her success in the film industry to God, hard work, and perseverance.
Speaking at the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) 2025 Media Sales Conference in Lagos, Akindele reflected on her journey, emphasizing that she built her career from the ground up.
“Nobody made me a star—only God. I wrote my script, and that was it. The first Jenifa was released in 2009, and that was my turning point,” she shared.
However, she acknowledged that veteran singer D’banj played a crucial role in helping her see the full potential of her Jenifa brand. She recounted how a chance encounter with him at a club changed her approach.
“Amidst the buzz, a club owner invited me to his venue, where I met D’banj. He asked me what I was doing with the Jenifa brand. I told him I had moved on, but he insisted, ‘No, you have to maximize it. That’s a brand. Go and write another script.’ He even gave me some money, and I went back to writing,” she revealed.
Akindele first gained recognition for her role in the TV series I Need to Know (1998–2002) before achieving nationwide fame with her blockbuster film Jenifa (2008). She currently holds the record as the highest-grossing producer in Nigerian cinema history.