Nollywood superstar and filmmaker Funke Akindele has opened up about her remarkable rise from playing minor roles to earning her first ₦1 million, a milestone she achieved in 1999 through her breakout performance as Bisi in the iconic TV series I Need to Know.
In a heartfelt video, the award-winning actress recounted her early struggles, describing how she began her acting career in 1996, taking on small “waka pass” (background) roles while constantly facing rejection at auditions.
“I started my career around 1996, playing waka pass roles. By 1997, I was going for auditions and getting a lot of ‘no’s’. Then I finally got one big ‘yes’ with “I Need to Know” and that’s how I made my first ₦1 million,” Funke said.
However, the journey to securing the role wasn’t without hurdles. Akindele revealed that she nearly lost her big break after being told by the producers that she was “overacting.”
“I almost lost the role of Bisi. After shooting the pilot, I was waiting for a call back that didn’t come. When they finally called me in, they said, ‘You’re a fantastic actress, but you’re overacting. Go home, read your script again, and understand your character.’ I was so worried.”
It was her younger sister who helped her find the character’s voice.
“My sister noticed I was moody and asked what was wrong. I told her about the feedback, and she said, ‘You’re not acting like a teenager.’ She took the script, read it like one, and that’s when it clicked for me. I started speaking and thinking like Bisi and that’s how I nailed the role,” Funke recalled.
When her first ₦1 million payment came in, the young actress could hardly believe it.
“We were paid per episode, but altogether it was about ₦1 million. I was shocked, me that used to jump on bikes!” she said with a laugh.
Funke said the first thing she did was show the money to her mother, who advised her to pay her tithe before spending it.
“I showed it to my mom, and she said, ‘First, pay your tithe.’ After that, I went straight to Yaba Market because I didn’t have good clothes or shoes. I just wanted to look better,” she said.
Today, Funke Akindele stands as one of the highest-grossing filmmakers in Nollywood history, with blockbuster hits like Omo Ghetto: The Saga and A Tribe Called Judah under her belt. Her journey from struggling actress to industry powerhouse remains one of the most inspiring stories in Nigerian entertainment.
