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The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) on Friday honoured leading Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele with multiple awards at a ceremony held at the board’s South West Zonal Office in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The event drew prominent figures from across the film industry, including NFVCB Executive Director Shaibu Husseini, National Vice President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria Dayo Amusa, chairman of the Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria Mahmood Ali-Balogun, National President of the Association of Movie Producers Nigeria Blessing Ebigieson, entertainment executive Chioma Ude and Vice President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria Grace Edwin-Okon.
In his remarks, Husseini described Akindele as a shining example of success in the Nigerian film industry. He said the board deemed it necessary to properly celebrate her achievements, noting that she had previously been unable to receive some of her awards due to her busy schedule.
“We are here to celebrate a talent, we are here to celebrate somebody who has made this industry not only visible to the world but to tell everyone that it is possible to be in this industry and make money from the industry,” he said.
He added that although the awards had earlier been presented during NFVCB digital conferences, Akindele’s absence due to travel commitments made it difficult for her to receive them in person. According to him, simply handing over the plaques privately would not have done justice to her impact, hence the decision to organise a ceremony in her honour.
Akindele received several recognitions, including the Excellence in Promoting Indigenous Films award. She was also presented with the Box Office Champion Award for her 2020 blockbuster Omo Ghetto: The Saga, which emerged as the highest-grossing Nollywood film of that year.
In addition, she earned the Audience Choice Award for Everybody Loves Jenifa and another Box Office Champion Award for Outstanding Box Office Performance, having emerged as the filmmaker with the highest-grossing Nollywood film in 2025 and 2026 with Behind The Scenes.
An emotional Akindele expressed gratitude to the board and industry stakeholders for the recognition. She attributed her success to years of hard work, dedication, perseverance and intentional focus. “It’s years of a lot of hard work.
Hard work, dedication, perseverance, staying focused, being intentional about success. A lot of sleepless nights. A lot of hunger. It’s not because I don’t have money to eat, but because I have to finish the work before I go back to eat,” she said.
She also urged stakeholders not to speak ill of Nollywood, stressing that the industry remains a vital source of livelihood for many practitioners.
Thanking Husseini, she commended his leadership at the NFVCB, describing his approach as supportive and corrective rather than punitive.
Established in 1993, the National Film and Video Censors Board is responsible for classifying and regulating films and video works in Nigeria.
Over the years, it has continued to engage stakeholders through conferences and zonal activities aimed at strengthening the country’s film industry.
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