Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele has counseled fans to protect their identity and ambitions while in love.
In a post on her verified X handle on Thursday, October 22, she reflected on the hard work it takes to build something from scratch:
“You work so hard, sleepless nights, sacrifices, building something from scratch. Then come the accolades!
“But you see, distractions will come in different forms, sometimes even in the form of love. Nothing wrong with falling in love o! Just don’t lose yourself. Know your worth, stay focused and love yourself first. I’m preaching to myself too!”
Her message was that falling in love is not wrong, but it should not make you abandon the dreams, identity, and self-worth you worked hard to build.
She urged people to stay focused, maintain their sense of self, and practice self-love even while pursuing romantic relationships.
Funke Akindele, born Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele, August 24, 1977 in Ikorodu, Lagos State is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, producer and politician, popularly known as “Jenifa.”
She was the second child of a medical doctor mother and retired school principal father. Attended Grace Children’s School, Gbagada. Got an OND in Mass Communication from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (formerly Ogun State Polytechnic), then a Law degree from the University of Lagos.
She came to limelight playing Bisi in the UNFPA-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know (1998-2002).
She then wrote, produced and starred in the movie Jenifa (2008/2009), which made her a household name and won her the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The character spawned the hit TV series Jenifa’s Diary and a full franchise.
She founded Scene One Production and went on to direct and produce Nollywood’s biggest box office hits: Omo Ghetto: The Saga (2020), Battle on Buka Street (2022), A Tribe Called Judah (2023), and Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024). She is currently Nigeria’s highest-grossing director.
Outside the movie industry, Funke Akindele is the one founder of the Jenifa Foundation (youth vocational training), brand ambassador for several companies, and appointed UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador for Nigeria in Dec 2024.
She was the PDP deputy governorship candidate for Lagos State in the 2023 election.
Funke is a mother of twin boys (born 2018) and remains one of the most influential figures in modern Nollywood.
