Award-winning Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele recently opened up about her humble beginnings in the movie industry and how she earned her first ₦1 million through her breakout role in the popular 1990s TV drama, “I Need to Know.” She shared these insights during a recent interview posted online.
Akindele reflected on her early struggles, the rejections she faced during auditions, and the pivotal moment that changed the trajectory of her career. She recounted that her acting journey began in 1996 when she started taking minor “waka pass” (extra) roles in films.
“I made that around 1999. I started my career in 1996, playing waka pass roles, and by 1997, I was going for auditions and receiving a lot of ‘no’s. Then I got one big ‘yes’ with ‘I Need to Know,’ and that’s how I earned my first one million naira,” she revealed.
Although she was excited to land the role, Funke admitted she almost lost the opportunity after being told that her performance was “too dramatic.” “I almost lost the role of Bisi. After shooting the pilot episode, I was waiting for a callback that didn’t come,” she said. “Eventually, they called me in and said, ‘You’re a fantastic actress, but you’re overacting. Go home and study the character properly.’”
Feeling dejected, she returned home and confided in her younger sister, who helped her perfect the youthful tone and mannerisms needed for the role. “My sister said, ‘You’re not talking like a teenager.’ Then she read the script aloud, speaking like a young girl. That’s when I got it. I immediately understood how to portray Bisi, and that’s how I secured the role.”
The adjustment paid off, and “I Need to Know” became a massive success, making Akindele a household name across Nigeria and beyond. Funke explained that her payment for the show added up to her first-ever ₦1 million, which felt surreal at the time. “We were paid per episode, and when I calculated everything together, it was ₦1 million. I was shocked. I said, ‘Me? The girl who used to jump on okadas (motorcycle taxis)?’” she laughed.
When asked what she did with the money, Akindele said the first thing she did was show it to her mother, who encouraged her to pay her tithe before spending. “First, I showed it to my mom. She advised me to pay my tithe. After that, I went straight to Yaba Market because I didn’t have shoes or nice clothes. I bought some new things for myself.”
Since her early breakthrough, Funke Akindele has grown into one of Nollywood’s most celebrated actresses and filmmakers, producing blockbuster hits such as Omo Ghetto: The Saga and A Tribe Called Judah, both of which broke box office records in Nigeria.
