Funke Akindele Declares Herself a Self-Made Star
Renowned Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has credited her rise to stardom to her own hard work and determination, emphasizing that no one but God played a role in her success.
Speaking at the 2025 Media Sales Conference organized by the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) in Lagos, Akindele reflected on her journey in the film industry, attributing her achievements to years of dedication and perseverance.
However, she acknowledged the influence of veteran musician D’banj, who encouraged her to build on the success of her breakout film, Jenifa.
“Nobody made me a star, only God,” she stated. “I wrote my script, and that was it. The first Jenifa came out in 2009, and that changed everything. During the buzz, a club owner invited me for an appearance, and I met D’banj there. He asked about my plans for the Jenifa brand, and I told him I was moving on to other things. But he insisted that I should expand it, that it was a brand worth growing. He even gave me some money to continue writing, and that’s how I developed the sequel.”
Akindele first gained recognition in the late 1990s with her role in the television series I Need to Know, but her major breakthrough came in 2008 with Jenifa. Today, she holds the record as the highest-grossing producer in Nigerian cinema, solidifying her place as one of the industry’s most influential figures.
