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Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has opened up about the experiences, values and creative decisions that contributed to her rise in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
The award-winning actress shared insights into her personal and professional journey during a fireside conversation at the 2026 edition of Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) WKND, held in Lagos on Wednesday, November 11.
Speaking with media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, who moderated the session, Funke Akindele reflected on her childhood, the lessons she learnt from her family and the determination that helped her establish herself in a highly competitive industry.
She particularly acknowledged the influence of her mother, whose strict approach to discipline and responsibility played a significant role in shaping her character.
According to the filmmaker, growing up under such an environment taught her the importance of hard work, commitment and taking responsibility for her decisions.
The actress explained that these early lessons became valuable throughout her career, helping her navigate the uncertainties and demands associated with working in the entertainment industry.
Beyond discussing her upbringing, Funke Akindele also addressed the importance of originality in filmmaking. She encouraged creatives to develop their own identities rather than simply reproduce ideas introduced by other people.
Expressing her position on the subject, she said she preferred drawing inspiration from others instead of copying their work. Her comments highlighted the need for filmmakers to remain innovative while learning from developments within the industry.
The filmmaker also revisited her early experiments with digital content as a promotional tool for her movies. She disclosed that her decision to create online content to attract attention to her productions initially attracted ridicule from some people.
However, she remained committed to the approach despite the criticism, eventually witnessing more industry players adopt similar promotional strategies.
According to her, people initially laughed at her decision to use content creation to market her films, but the same approach later became increasingly popular among other filmmakers.
Her experience demonstrated how embracing new ideas and remaining consistent can help creatives discover opportunities even when their methods are not immediately accepted.
Funke Akindele also spoke about the emotional demands of her profession, acknowledging that the responsibilities associated with filmmaking sometimes come with frustration and difficult moments.
The conversation further provided an opportunity to discuss her forthcoming movie, The Four, as she continues to expand her contributions to Nigerian cinema.
Over the years, Funke Akindele has established herself as one of Nollywood's prominent actresses and filmmakers, with her portrayal of Jenifa remaining one of the defining roles of her career.
Her appearance at CANEX WKND 2026 offered emerging filmmakers an opportunity to learn from her experiences, particularly her emphasis on discipline, originality, consistency and the courage to pursue unconventional ideas.
The event also reinforced the importance of creating platforms where established entertainment professionals can share knowledge and encourage the next generation of African creative talents.
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