Funke Akindele, a renowned Nollywood actress and producer, has described herself as self-made, attributing her success in the film industry to her hard work, dedication, and divine guidance. Speaking at the 2025 Media Sales Conference organized by the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) in Lagos, she emphasized that she owes her career to God rather than anyone else.
However, Akindele also acknowledged that veteran singer D’banj played a key role in her career. She recalled how D’banj encouraged her to continue building her “Jenifa” brand after the release of the first film in 2009. At a meeting with D’banj in a club, he advised her not to let the success of “Jenifa” fade and urged her to create more content based on the brand. He even provided her with financial support to continue her work.
Akindele first gained widespread recognition in the 1990s when she starred in the sitcom I Need to Know and later shot to greater fame with the 2008 film Jenifa. She has since become one of the most successful figures in Nollywood, holding the record for the highest-grossing producer in Nigerian cinema.
