According to well-known Nollywood actress and producer Funke Akindele, no one deserves credit for her rise to prominence in the Nigerian film industry.
During her speech at the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) 2025 event, the media personality emphasized that her journey to stardom is a result of God’s grace.
“I am who I am today because of God. Nobody made me a star, only God did. When I started, I faced many challenges, but I kept pushing,” she recounted.
“The idea for Jenifa came to me at a time when I needed to reinvent myself, and I trusted God’s direction. I wrote my scripts, put in the work, and kept believing that my time would come,” Funke added.
Funke Akindele claims that she has overcome multiple hurdles to maintain her prominence in the film industry.
She further stated, “This journey has not been easy, but I have learned to stay focused and keep evolving. The audience changes, trends come and go, but I remain determined. I was told to keep milking the Jenifa brand, and yes, I did, but I also expanded my craft. God keeps giving me the strength to push, and I will continue to do so.”
She emphasized the importance of versatility in staying relevant in the competitive film industry while discussing the evolving landscape of audience interaction and content marketing in Nigeria.
She asserted that, while adhering to their creative vision, filmmakers need to be prepared to embrace contemporary storytelling methods and commercial trends.
She also acknowledged that success in the profession is not a one-person effort and thanked everyone for their support over the years.
While giving God the credit for her success, she also expressed gratitude to her supporters for standing by her mission.
