| Funke Akindele | |
| Birthname: | Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde |
| Birth Date: | 24 August 1977[1] |
| Birth Place: | Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Years Active: | 1998–present |
| Party: | PDP |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Alma Mater: | |
Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele (born August 24, 1977)[2] [3] popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa,[4] is a Nigerian filmmaker, actress,[5] director, producer and politician.[6] [7] [8] Akindele starred in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002[9] and in 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role,[10] for her role in Jenifa, which brought her to fame. Akindele reprised the role in a 2015 television series adaption titled Jenifa's Diary,[11] for which she was named the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 and 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Akindele won the same award in 2020 and 2022, making it her fifth win for the Best Actress in a Comedy category. Akindele is the most nominated actress/filmmaker at the AMVCA and currently owns six wins which makes her the actress with the most wins.[12] She is the second director to gross over a billion naira at the Nigeria box office and currently the Highest grossing Nigerian Director in Nigerian Box Office with a total Gross of over ₦2.9 billion.[13] Funke Akindele makes history as she becomes the first Nigerian actress to 'buy' a private jet
In 2022, she was nominated by the People's Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, as the running mate for the 2023 Lagos state governorship election.[14] [15]
Akindele was born on August 24, 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria.[16] She is a Yoruba woman. She is the second of three children (two girls and one boy). Her mother is a medical doctor while her father is a retired school principal.[17] She attended Grace Children's School, Gbagada, Lagos State. She obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now known as Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. She earned a Law degree from the University of Lagos.[18]
Akindele came into the limelight after starring in the popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002.[19] Funke Akindele played Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student. Funke Akindele's big break came in 2008 when she appeared in the movie Jenifa.[20] [21]
In January 2018, there was a controversy when it was reported that Funke Akindele would get her Hollywood debut in Marvel's as she was listed as a member of the cast on IMDb.[22] Mainstream Nigerian press reported that Jenifa was set to star in Infinity War as the guard Dora Milaje, citing IMDb.[23] Some weeks later her name was replaced with that of fellow Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji,[24] with Funke Akindele's upload shown to have been a hack.[25] In February 2018, it was reported that Senate President and chair of the National Assembly, Dr. Bukola Saraki, had advised Marvel Studios to feature Akindele in Infinity War.[26]
In an interview in July 2016, Funke Akindele stated she was acting less in the Yoruba film industry at that time because of piracy.[27] Akindele plays the lead character in the ongoing hit TV show Jenifa's Diary, alongside Fisayo Ajisola, Falz, Juliana Olayode, and Aderounmu Adejumoke. The show is an adaption of the movie Jenifa.[11] The 2018 comedy film Moms at War stars Funke Akindele and Omoni Oboli. In July 2019, Akindele started a new web series, Aiyetoro Town,[28] a turnover from her popular TV series, Jenifa's Diary.[29] She is the former CEO of Scene One Film Production.[30]
She made her cinematic directorial debut in the 2019 political drama film, Your Excellency.[31]
Akindele was nominated as the Lagos deputy governorship candidate under Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria) in the 2023 elections.[32] In justifying her nomination, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, noted that the actress will add more value to his candidacy in the 2023 general elections.[33] Confirming her deputy governorship candidacy on Tuesday, the actress stated that her acting career must be “necessarily put on hold”.[34] [35]
Akindele established a non-governmental organization known as the Jenifa Foundation, which aims at providing young people with vocational skills.[36] [37]
Akindele has endorsement deals such as her being signed as an Ambassador to Dettol and Irokotv.[38] [39] In 2018, she was signed as a brand ambassador for Keystone Bank.[40] In November 2019, she signed an endorsement deal with Waw Nigeria, a company that manufactures detergent and bar soap.[41]
On 26 May 2012, Funke Akindele married Adeola Kehinde Oloyede.[42] [43] The couple divorced in July 2013, citing irreconcilable differences.[44] Funke Akindele married Nigerian rapper JJC Skillz in London in May 2016.[45] Her pregnancy rumours were among the top searched results on Google search engine in August 2017.JJC Skillz announced the end of the union between him and the popular actress which lasted six years via his official Instagram handle on June 30, 2022.[46] Funke Akindele gave birth to twin boys in December 2018 and has several step-children.[47] [48] [49]
In April 2020, Akindele was arrested along with JJC Skillz, her husband at that time and charged for having a birthday party for her husband during a mandated lockdown to tackle coronavirus.[50] She later appeared in a Nigeria Centre for Disease Control video to raise awareness about coronavirus.[51] The actress and her husband were sentenced to a 14-day community service after pleading guilty to violating the lockdown order.[52] [53]
In 2024, Her movie A Tribe Called Judah became the highest grossing Nigerian movie of all time, breaking the record of her movie Battle on Buka Street.[54]
Akindele has the most wins at award shows like AMVCA and Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
She is the producer and director of the three highest grossing Nollywood movies of all time, A Tribe Called Judah, Battle on Buka Street and .
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | I Need To Know | Bisi | Soap Opera | |
| 2002 | Final Whistle | Angela | Directed by Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi | |
| Final Whistle 2 | Angela | |||
| 2002 | Sharon Stone | Dupe | Directed by Adim Williams | |
| Sharon Stone 2 | Dupe | |||
| 2003 | Egg of Life | Isioma | Directed by Andy Amenechi | |
| Egg of Life 2 | Isioma | |||
| 2004 | Kádàrá Mi | Secretary | ||
| Atlanta | Kudirat | Directed by Charles Novia | ||
| Atlanta | Kudirat | |||
| Botife | Bisola | |||
| 2005 | Agbara Ifẹ | Directed by Bakare Adeoye | ||
| 13th Day: Ọjọ Kẹtala | ||||
| 13th Day: Ọjọ Kẹtala 2 | ||||
| 2006 | Narrow Path | Wunmi | ||
| Kosefowora | Folashade | |||
| Oṣuwọn Ẹda | ||||
| Agbe Fo | Yẹmisi | |||
| Agbe Fo 2 | Yemisi | |||
| Oreke Mulero | ||||
| Ọdún Nbaku | Moji | |||
| 2007 | Maku | |||
| Ẹdujọbi | Taiye/ Kehinde | |||
| Ẹdujọbi 2 | Taiye/ Kehinde | |||
| B'aye Ṣe Nlọ | ||||
| Ọba Irawọ | ||||
| Okùn Ìfẹ Yí | Bimpe | |||
| Egun | ||||
| Akandun | ||||
| 2008 | Kàkàkí L'oku | Kàkàkí's wife | ||
| Kàkàkí L'oku 2 | Kàkàkí's wife | |||
| Taiwo, Taiwo | T.girl | |||
| Taiwo, Taiwo 2 | T.girl | |||
| Ajẹ̀ Mẹtta | Molayo | |||
| Ajẹ̀ Mẹtta 2 | Molayo | |||
| Apoti Orogún | Bola | |||
| Sulia Adedayo/ Jenifa | ||||
| Àtànpàkò Mẹta | ||||
| Ọmọ Pupa | ||||
| 2009 | Bolode O'ku | Funmi | ||
| Farayola | Oyinkansola | |||
| Jenifa 2 | Sulia Adedayo/ Jenifa | |||
| Anointed Liars | Flora | Directed by Innocent Chinagorom | ||
| Anointed Liars 2 | Flora | |||
| Iro Funfun | Tomilola | Directed by Muhydeen S. Ayinde | ||
| Iro Funfun 2 | Tomilola | |||
| Ija Ọla | ||||
| Ija Ọla 2 | ||||
| Ọmọ Ìyá Kan | Directed by Daniel Ademinokan | |||
| Apaadi 2 | ||||
| 2010 | Omo Ghetto | Ayomide & Shalewa/Lefty | ||
| Omo Ghetto 2 | Ayomide & Shalewa/Lefty | |||
| Sherikoko | Angelina | Directed by Amayo Uzo Philips | ||
| White Hunters | Peggy | Directed by Afam Okereke | ||
| Ogun Àìkú | Directed by Muyiwa Ademola | |||
| 2011 | Maami | Maami | Directed by Tunde Kelani | |
| The Return of Jenifa | Sulia Adedayo/Jenifa | |||
| Jelili | Betty | Directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Salami | ||
| The Perfect Church | Sister Angela | |||
| Ladies Gang | Samantha | Directed by Afam Okereke | ||
| Ladies Gang 2 | Samantha | |||
| Kujenra | Kujenra | Directed by Adebayo Tijani | ||
| Kujenra 2 | Kujenra | |||
| 2012 | Married but Living Single | Kate | Directed by Tunde Olaoye | |
| A Wish | Directed by Elvis Chuks | |||
| Dirty Diamond | Peace/Uju | Directed by Okey-Zubelu Okoh | ||
| Wisdom of Thomas | Ihunna | Directed by Tchidi Chikere | ||
| Emi Abata | Tinuke | Directed by Adebayo Salami | ||
| 2013 | Living Nightmares | Monica | Directed by Okey-Zubelu Okoh | |
| Oga On Top | Directed by Amayo Uzo Philips | |||
| Jujuwood | Crystal | Directed by Tchidi Chikere | ||
| Agnetta (O'mpa) | Directed by Amayo Uzo Philips | |||
| Angelina | Angelina | Directed by MacCollins Chidebe | ||
| The Fighter | Monica Lewisky | Directed by Amayo Uzo Philips | ||
| Barren Women | Directed by Morgan Ukaegbu | |||
| Azonto Babes | ||||
| The Return of Sherikoko | Directed by Amayo Uzo Philips | |||
| 2014 | New Horizons | Sadie | ||
| Pretty Liars | Cleo | |||
| Madam Tyson | ||||
| Chibundu | Chibundu | |||
| Mr Potosky | ||||
| Love Wahala | Katrine | |||
| 2015 | Fight For Peace | Aduke | ||
| Jenifa's Diary | Sulia Adedayo/Jenifa | Tv series | ||
| One Fine Day | ||||
| Uncle Oyibo | ||||
| 2016 | A Trip to Jamaica | Bola | Robert Peters | |
| 2017 | Isoken | Agnes | ||
| Industreet | Francesca | Web Series | ||
| Double Trouble | Modebola | Directional debut | ||
| 2018 | Vivian Aberuagba | Tv series | ||
| Moms at War | Olaide Adetola | Directed by Omoni Oboli | ||
| Chief Daddy | Tinu Breecroft | Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan | ||
| 2019 | Aiyetoro Town | Sulia Adedayo/ Jenifa | Web series | |
| Unmendable | Rachael | |||
| Your Excellency | Kemi Ajadi | Cinematic directorial debut | ||
| 2020 | Who's The Boss | Hauwa | Directed by Chinaza Onuzo | |
| Ayomide &Shalewa/Lefty | Directed by Funke Akindele, Abdulrasheed Bello | |||
| 2021 | Dwindle | Officer Tolani | Kayode Kasum, Dare Olaitan | |
| Jenifa on Lockdown | Suliat Adedayo/Jenifa | Web series | ||
| 2022 | Tinu Breecroft | Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan | ||
| Far From Home | Patricia Bello | Tv Series | ||
| Battle on Buka Street | Yejide | Directed by Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde | ||
| 2023 | She Must Be Obeyed | She/Siyanbola Adewole | Limited series | |
| No Way Through | Jolade Okeniyi | Directed by Chinaza Onuzo | ||
| A Tribe Called Judah | Jedidah Judah | Directed by Funke Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu | ||
| 2024 | House of Ga'a | Ayinba | Directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters | |
| Year | Event | Prize | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Africa Movie Academy Award | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Jenifa | ||
| 2009 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress | ||||
| City People Awards | Actress of the Year | ||||
| 2010 | 2010 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role (Yoruba) | Ogun Aiku | ||
| 2012 | 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress | The Return of Jenifa | ||
| 2012 Nollywood Movies Awards | Best Actress (Indigenous) | Emi Abata | |||
| 2012 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actress (English) | Married but Living Single | |||
| Zulu African Film Academy Awards | Best Actress | Maami and The Return of Jenifa | |||
| Yoruba Movie Academy Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | ||||
| Screen Nation Awards | Pan Africa Best Actress | ||||
| 2013 | 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards | Best Actress (Leading Role) | Maami | ||
| Best Actress (Indigenous) | |||||
| 2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress (Drama) | Maami | |||
| Best Actress (Comedy) | The Return of Jenifa | ||||
| Yoruba Movie Academy Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Ife Gbona | |||
| 2014 | 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress (Leading Role) | Agnetta O’Mpa | ||
| 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress (Comedy) | The Return of Sheri Koko | |||
| ELOY Awards | Brand Ambassador of the Year | Omo | [55] | ||
| 2015 | Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Supporting Actress-English | One Fine Day | ||
| 2016 | 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress In Comedy Role | Jenifa's Diary | ||
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress Series | ||||
| Naija FM Awards | Sitcom Of The Year | ||||
| Best Actress in Comedy | |||||
| Africa Entertainment Legend Awards | Best Actress of the Year | [56] | |||
| 2016 Ghana Movies Awards | Best Actress Africa Collaboration | A Trip to Jamaica | [57] | ||
| 2017 | 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best TV Series | Jenifa's Diary | [58] | |
| Best Actress in a Comedy Movie or TV Series | [59] | ||||
| A Trip to Jamaica | |||||
| 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Lead Actress | ||||
| 2020 | 2020 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress in a comedy | Moms At War | [60] | |
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Popular Actress | |||
| Most Searched Actress | |||||
| Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | ||||
| 2022 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Actress in A Comedy | [61] [62] | ||
| Best Costume Designer | |||||
| Best Movie West Africa | |||||
| Best Overall Movie | |||||
| Best Television Series | Jenifa's Diary | ||||
| Best Africa Magic Original Comedy Series | My Siblings & I | ||||
| NET Honours | Most Popular Actress | [63] | |||
| 2023 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Actress In A Comedy Movie/TV Series | Battle on Buka Street | [64] | |
| Best Writer | |||||
| Best Overall Movie | |||||
| Africa International Film Festival | Globe Award Honoree | ||||
| NET Honours | Most Popular Actress | ||||
| Most Searched Actress | |||||
| Legit.ng's Readers' Choice Awards | Best Actress in 2023 | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 Silverbird Man of The Year Award | Special Achievement Award | |||
| 2024 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Lead Actress | A Tribe Called Judah | |||
| Best Writing (Movie) | |||||
| Best Movie | |||||
| Legit.ng Entertainment Awards | Best Actress | ||||