‘Nobody Made Me A Star, Only God’ – Funke Akindele Proclaim
Nollywood actress and award-winning movie producer Funke Akindele has attributed her success in the film industry to God, hard work, and dedication rather than any individual.
Speaking at the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) 2025 Media Sales Conference in Lagos, Funke emphasized that her journey to stardom was self-driven.
“Nobody made me a star, only God made me a star. I wrote my script, and that was it. The first ‘Jenifa’ was released in 2009, and that was the turning point,” she stated.
However, the actress acknowledged that veteran Nigerian singer D’banj played a crucial role in helping her recognize the potential of the ‘Jenifa’ brand.
“Amidst the buzz, a club owner reached out to host me at his club, and I met D’banj there. He asked what I was doing with the ‘Jenifa’ brand. I said, ‘I have moved on. I will do another thing.’ He said, ‘No. You have to milk it. It should not go like that. That’s a brand. Go and write another script.’ He gave me some money, and I went back and continued writing.”
Funke Akindele initially gained recognition from the popular sitcom ‘I Need to Know’ (1998-2002) but became a household name with her 2008 hit movie ‘Jenifa’.
She currently holds the record for the highest-grossing producer in Nigerian cinema, solidifying her legacy as one of the most successful filmmakers in Nollywood history.
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