Funke Akindele is a Nigerian actress, film producer, script writer and entrepreneur. The beautiful screen diva has many admirers who have seen every movie she featured in. Funke Akindele is popularly known as “Jenifa”, a character she played in a movie tittled Jenifa.
Life History Of Funke Akindele:
Funke Akindele was born August 24, 1977 in Ikorudu, Lagos state. She attended Grace children school, Lagos state for her primary school education while she attended Lagos State model college, Igbo kuta for her secondary school education. Funke obtained and OND in Mass Communication from Moshood Abiola polytechnic. She graduated from university of Lagos where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law.
Career As An Actress:
Despite being a trained lawyer, Funke decide to pursue a career in acting. The movie tittled Naked Wire, was her first movie, where she played the role of a waitress. She was brought into the limelight after she feautured in a popular TV series tittied I Need To Know. I Need To Know aired from 1998-2002, it is a United Nations population fund sponsored sitcom program created to enlighten the public on the issues teenagers face while growing up.
Funke Akindele got her major breakthrough when she played the main character in a comedy drama movie tittled Jenifa. In the movie “Jenifa”, Funke acted as a local girl from the village who went to Lagos for a better life. Apart from the fact the movie was hilarious and entertaining, it was a massive success which she did well to harness the potential.
The movie tittled “Jenifa”, inspired Funke Akindele to produce another TV series tittied “Jenifa Diary”. Jenifa Diary has become a household name in most Nigerian home and it feautured so many top personalities, they include Lota Chukwu, Faiz, Lolo and so on.
Funke Akindele’s Movies:
- Apaadi
- Maami
- Married But Living Single
- A Trip To Jamaica
- Industreet
- Isoken
- Mom’s At War
- Omoge Ghetto
- Iru Oka
- Ojo Ketala
Other Business Interest Of Funke Akindele:
Apart from being an actress, Funke is also a skilled entrepreneur. She is the owner of Scene One School Of Drama. Scene One School Of Drama teaches aspiring actors, producers, And dancers how to develop their talent and be the best in their field of study. The courses offered in the school includes traditional and contemporary dance, music, introduction to drama, etiquette and manners and many more.
Funke Akindele is the CEO of Scene One Production. It is a content production company for television stations and movies.
She also has a lot of endorsement deals with different brands. They include; Lagos State Inland Revenue Service, Iroko TV, Vitafoam, Western Lotto, Keystone Bank and so on.
Funke Akindele Philanthropy:
Funke Akindele founded Jenifa’s foundation. It is a non governmental organization that helps her to give back to the society. The organization empowers and help young people discover their talents in acting, music and dance.
Funke Akindele Awards:
- Best Actress leading role at Africa movie academy awards – 2009
- Best actress at Nollywood movies awards – 2012
- Best actress at Zulu African film academy award – 2012
- Best actress (indigenous) at Nollywood movies awards – 2013
- Best actress (comedy) at Africa magic viewers chioce awards – 2014
- Brand ambassador of the year at Eloy awards
- Sitcom of the year at Naija Fm awards – 2016
- Best actress in comedy movies at Africa magic viewers chioce awards – 2017
- Best lead actress at Nigerian entertainment awards – 2017