Funke Akindele


Akindele-Bello Olufunke Ayotunde is a Nigerian actress and producer. Funke starred in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002, and in 2009 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She plays the lead character in the show Jenifa's Diary, for which she was named Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

Early life and education

Akindele was born on August 24, 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. Funke is the second of three children. Akindele's mother is a Medical Doctor while her father is a retired School Principal. Funke obtained an Ordinary National Diploma in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic,.

Career

Akindele came into the limelight after starring in popular United Nations Population Fund -sponsored sitcom I Need to Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002. Funke 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
In January 2018, there was a controversy when it was reported that Akindele would get her Hollywood debut in Marvel's as she was listed as a member of the cast on IMDb. Mainstream Nigerian press reported that she was set to star in Infinity War as the guard Dora Milaje, citing IMDb. Some weeks later her name was replaced with that of fellow Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji, with Akindele's upload shown to have been a hack. In February 2018, it was reported that Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr Bukola Saraki has advised Marvel Studios to feature Akindele in Infinity War.
In July 2016, in an interview she stated she was acting less in the Yoruba film industry at that time because of piracy. 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 a spin-off from the movie Jenifa. The 2018 comedy film Moms at War stars Akindele and Michelle Dede. In July 2019, Akindele started a new web series, Aiyetoro Town, a spinoff from her popular TV series, Jenifa’s Diary. She is the CEO of Film Production.
She made her directorial debut in 2019 political drama film Your Excellency.

Charity initiative

Funke Akindele runs a non-governmental organisation known as the Jenifa Foundation, which aims at providing young people with vocational skills.

Endorsements

Funke Akindele has endorsement deals such as her being signed as an Ambassador to Dettol. Funke Akindele has endorsement deals such as her being signed as an Ambassador to Irokotv. Also in 2018, she was signed as brand ambassador for Keystone Bank. In November 2019, she signed an endorsement deal with Waw Nigeria, a company that manufactures detergent and bar soaps.

Personal life

On May 26, 2012, Akindele married Adeola Kehinde Oloyede. The couple divorced in July 2013, citing irreconcilable differences. Akindele married Nigerian rapper JJC Skillz in London in May 2016. Rumours about her pregnancy dominated searches on Google search engine in August 2017. Akindele gave birth to twin boys in December 2018 and has several step-children.

Controversies

In April 2020, Akindele was arrested after holding a birthday party for her husband during the lockdown imposed to tackle coronavirus. She later appeared in a Nigeria Centre for Disease Control video to raise awareness about coronavirus. The actress and her husband were sentenced to 14-day community service after confessing guilty to violating lockdown order.

Filmography

YearEventPrizeWorkResult
2009Africa Movie Academy AwardBest Actress Leading Role
20092009 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest ActressJenifa
20102010 Best of Nollywood AwardsBest Actress in a Leading Role Oguni Aiku
20122012 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest ActressTroj
20122012 Nollywood Movies AwardsBest Actress Emi Abata
20122012 Best of Nollywood AwardsBest Actress Married but Living Single
2012Zulu African Film Academy AwardsBest ActressMaami and The Return of Jenifa
20132013 Nollywood Movies AwardsBest Actress Maami
20132013 Nollywood Movies AwardsBest Actress Maami
20142014 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Actress Agnetta O’Mpa
20142014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actress The Return of Sheri Koko
2014ELOY AwardsBrand Ambassador of the YearOmo
20162016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actress In Comedy RoleJenifa's Diary
2016Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Actress SeriesJenifa's Diary
2016Naija FM AwardsSitcom Of The YearJenifa's Diary
2016Naija FM AwardsBest Actress in ComedyJenifa's Diary
2016Africa Entertainment Legend AwardsBest Actress of the Year
20162016 Ghana Movies AwardsBest Actress Africa CollaborationA Trip to Jamaica
2017Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest TV SeriesJenifa's Diary
2017Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actress in a Comedy Movie or TV SeriesJenifa's Diary
2017Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actress in a Comedy Movie or TV SeriesA Trip to Jamaica
20172017 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Lead ActressA Trip to Jamaica
20202020 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Movie or TV SeriesWon