Nobody made me a star – Funke Akindele

• Funke Akindele has described herself as self-made, crediting her accomplishments to none other than God.
• The movie star cum filmmaker stated that she owes her success in the film industry to none other than God.
• Speaking at the MIPAN, 2025 Media Sales Conference Akindele for the umpteenth time shared how she started her Jenifa franchise.

Actress and producer Funke Akindele has credited her success in the film industry to hard work, dedication, and divine intervention. 

Speaking at the 2025 Media Sales Conference in Lagos, organized by Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Akindele emphasized that she is a self-made star, attributing her achievements solely to God. 

She recounted the turning point in her career, which came with the release of her breakthrough film Jenifa in 2009.

The movie star also acknowledged the support of singer D’banj, who encouraged her to expand the Jenifa brand and provided financial assistance to help her continue writing. She stated:

“Nobody made me a star, only God.

“I wrote my script, and that was it. The first Jenifa was released in 2009, and that was the turning point.

“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.”

Akindele’s rise to fame began with her starring role in the popular sitcom “I Need to Know” from 1998 to 2002.

Her big break came in 2009 with the movie “Jenifa,” which catapulted her to stardom.

She currently holds the record for the highest-grossing producer in Nigerian cinema.