This week on CNN’s ‘African
Voices’, Nigerian actress Funke Akindele talks through her career and why she’s
focusing on the next generation of actors.
Voices’, Nigerian actress Funke Akindele talks through her career and why she’s
focusing on the next generation of actors.
One of Nollywood’s biggest
stars, Akindele has appeared in countless films and some of the biggest sitcoms
in Nigeria. Despite starting acting as a young adult, ‘African Voices’ hears
how she started out on a very different career path.
stars, Akindele has appeared in countless films and some of the biggest sitcoms
in Nigeria. Despite starting acting as a young adult, ‘African Voices’ hears
how she started out on a very different career path.
When Akindele was a child,
her parents had differing opinions when it came to her acting dreams, as she
tells CNN: “Growing up was fun for me having the support of my mum, she
believed so much in my talent, though my dad never wanted me to be an actor –
he wanted me to be a lawyer.”
her parents had differing opinions when it came to her acting dreams, as she
tells CNN: “Growing up was fun for me having the support of my mum, she
believed so much in my talent, though my dad never wanted me to be an actor –
he wanted me to be a lawyer.”
‘African Voices’ hears how
she compromised and agreed to study for a degree, eventually graduating in law.
Following this, Akindele began auditioning for roles and had her big break when
she was cast in one of the biggest sitcoms in Lagos, called ‘I Need To Know’.
she compromised and agreed to study for a degree, eventually graduating in law.
Following this, Akindele began auditioning for roles and had her big break when
she was cast in one of the biggest sitcoms in Lagos, called ‘I Need To Know’.
Akindele describes the
time: “When I started ‘I Need To Know’, I never thought I would be this
celebrated. I was 20 years old then. When I shot the pilot I just wanted to do
it, I wanted to showcase my God-given talent… I remember the director telling
me I was overacting because I was excited about it.”
time: “When I started ‘I Need To Know’, I never thought I would be this
celebrated. I was 20 years old then. When I shot the pilot I just wanted to do
it, I wanted to showcase my God-given talent… I remember the director telling
me I was overacting because I was excited about it.”
Akindele is best known for
her portrayal of Jenifa, and she explains why the character has continued to
appeal to audiences: “Jenifa is witty, she’s crazy, she’s a go getter, she
doesn’t want to take no for an answer and I think I have that – I don’t want to
take no for an answer.”
her portrayal of Jenifa, and she explains why the character has continued to
appeal to audiences: “Jenifa is witty, she’s crazy, she’s a go getter, she
doesn’t want to take no for an answer and I think I have that – I don’t want to
take no for an answer.”
CNN hears that Akindele’s
success as Jenifa led her to establish her own production company, Scene One
Productions, as well as bringing many accolades, with her series receiving four
awards since 2015.
success as Jenifa led her to establish her own production company, Scene One
Productions, as well as bringing many accolades, with her series receiving four
awards since 2015.
Reflecting on this success
Akindele tells the programme: “All I can say is I’m grateful, it’s not easy for
you to work hard and people appreciate you.”
Akindele tells the programme: “All I can say is I’m grateful, it’s not easy for
you to work hard and people appreciate you.”
Now working on a new TV
drama examining the music industry in Nigeria, called ‘Industreet’, Akindele
has also founded ‘Jenifa’s Foundation’.
drama examining the music industry in Nigeria, called ‘Industreet’, Akindele
has also founded ‘Jenifa’s Foundation’.
Explaining the programme’s
work, she tells CNN: “We reach out to young people, we empower them. We help
them acquire skills, we help them discover their special gift, their talent in
acting and music and dance.”
work, she tells CNN: “We reach out to young people, we empower them. We help
them acquire skills, we help them discover their special gift, their talent in
acting and music and dance.”
When asked what her advice
would be for upcoming actors and performers in Nigeria, Akindele tells the
programme: “Stay focused. When you know what you want for yourself, when you
are focused, you will get there.”
would be for upcoming actors and performers in Nigeria, Akindele tells the
programme: “Stay focused. When you know what you want for yourself, when you
are focused, you will get there.”