Award-winning filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has reaffirmed her dedication to telling authentic Nigerian and African stories, stressing that her journey in Nollywood is not driven by rivalry but by purpose.
Speaking at an awards ceremony hosted by the National Film and Video Censors Board, Akindele dismissed notions of competition within the industry.
“I’m not competing. It’s not a competition,” she said. “I just want to tell African stories — our own Nigerian stories. I want us to feel accepted and loved. I want people to watch our movies, learn, see what we go through and hear our stories directly from a Nigerian, an African.”
Akindele’s commitment to authentic storytelling has translated into remarkable commercial success. Her four highest-grossing Nollywood titles have collectively earned over N7.6 billion, cementing her position as a box office powerhouse.
Her latest release, Behind The Scenes, grossed N2.7 billion, emerging as the highest-grossing Nollywood film to date.
Despite her record-breaking streak, the filmmaker insists she does not succumb to pressure or expectations.
“I don’t pressure myself. I just take it one day at a time, doing my thing,” she said, declining to disclose details about upcoming sequels or new projects. “Let’s keep our fingers crossed. You will love it.”
Akindele credits her continued success to embracing constructive criticism, learning from mentors and competitors, and pushing beyond familiar storytelling patterns.
“It says a lot about recreating the story pattern, moving away from the normal thing you do,” she explained. “I listen to constructive criticism. I’m a good storyteller, and I want to be the best at it.”
She revealed that while she initially planned to produce a sequel to A Tribe Called Judah, she felt compelled to pursue a different creative direction instead.
“I was supposed to produce A Tribe Called Judah part two, and the spirit of God kept saying you have to move out of it… go and do something different. And here I am with it,” she said.
For Akindele, the mission remains clear: amplify Nigerian voices, reshape narratives, and ensure African stories are told by Africans — on their own terms.