Funke Akindele, the celebrated Nigerian actress and filmmaker, stole the spotlight at a recent National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) award ceremony, where she received four prestigious awards in recognition of her record-breaking contributions to Nollywood.
Speaking to journalists and industry colleagues, Akindele emphasized that her focus is not on outshining others but on telling authentic African stories. “I feel so blessed. I wasn’t expecting this big. Seeing the guild, the press, even messages from the minister herself, I feel loved. Truly blessed,” she said.
The awards celebrated her work over several years, from her early successes with Omo Ghetto to the audience favorite Everybody Loves Jenifa, and her latest blockbuster, Behind the Scenes. Specifically, she received the Box Office Champion award for 2020 (Omo Ghetto), Audience Choice Award for 2024/2025 (Everybody Loves Jenifa), Box Office Champion for 2024/2025 (Everybody Loves Jenifa), and Box Office Champion for 2025/2026 (Behind the Scenes).
Addressing recent comments from fellow filmmaker Kunle Afolayan about promotional strategies in Nollywood, Akindele made it clear that she follows her own path. “It’s not a competition. I just want to tell our Nigerian stories, show our lives, and let people experience them directly,” she said. She stressed that she believes in God’s plan for her career and refuses to put unnecessary pressure on herself to follow a timeline.
Akindele also shared insights into her creative process, revealing that although she initially planned to produce A Tribe Called Judah Part Two, she felt guided to pause and explore other projects. “I’m not putting pressure on myself. I learn a lot from competitions and mentors, but my goal is to tell our stories authentically,” she explained.
The event was attended by notable industry figures, including Tola Akerele, GM/CEO of the National Theatre; Mahmood Ali-Balogun, AVRS chairman; Dayo Amusa, AGN vice president; Blessing Ebigeson, president of the Association of Movie Producers; Chioma Ude, founder of AFRIFF; Patrick Lee, CEAN representative; and Grace Edwin Okon, DGN vice president.
Shaibu Husseini, NFVCB Executive Director, described the ceremony as a celebration of excellence, consistency, and professionalism in Nigerian cinema.
He added that the awards were not just about recognizing achievements but also about inspiring creators to continue pushing Nigerian stories onto the global stage. “This is a proud moment to celebrate the dedication, vision, and power of Nigerian cinema to connect, inspire, and achieve global recognition,” Husseini said.
Funke Akindele’s remarks and achievements underline her position as one of Nollywood’s most influential and visionary figures, showing that success is about creativity, authenticity, and resilience, not competition.
