Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele (born 24 August 1977) popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, is a Nigerian filmmaker, actress, director, producer, politician, and realtor.Funsho Akinwale, Funke Akindele gives first glimpse of her twins, The Guardian She starred in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002 and in 2009 won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Jenifa, which brought her to fame. Akindele reprised the role in the 2011 sequel The Return of Jenifa and the 2015 soft reboot television series titled Jenifa's Diary, for which she was named the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 and 2017 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards. Akindele won the same award in 2020 and 2022, making it her fifth win for the Best Actress in a Comedy category. Akindele is the most nominated actress and filmmaker at the AMVCA and holds the record for most wins for an actress with six. She is the second director to gross over a billion naira at the box office and the highest-grossing director in Nigerian box office with a total gross of over ₦4.7 billion.
In 2022, she was nominated by the People's Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, as the running mate for the 2023 Lagos State gubernatorial election.
During the World AIDS Day commemoration in December 2024, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) appointed her as the National Goodwill Ambassador for Nigeria, a role focused on promoting HIV prevention and awareness across the country.
Early life and education Akindele was born on 24 August 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria.Olivia Kabir, January 2019 Funke Akindele's state of origin, Legit.ng She is a Yoruba woman. She is the second of four children (three girls and one boy). Her mother was a medical doctor, while her father was a retired school principal. She attended Grace Children's School, Gbagada, Lagos State. She obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in mass communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now known as Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. She earned a law degree from the University of Lagos.
Career
Akindele came into the limelight after starring in the popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002. She played Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student. Akindele's big break came in 2008 when she appeared in the film Jenifa.
In 2010, she starred in the two-part gangster film Omo Ghetto, a cult-classic that influenced Yoruba pop-culture. She has produced and starred in several successful Yoruba films, establishing her as a household name in the region.
In 2013, Akindele expanded her career into English-language Nollywood films, earning wider recognition across Nigeria.
In an interview in July 2016, Akindele stated she was acting less in the Yoruba film industry at that time because of piracy. Akindele played the lead character in the TV show Jenifa's Diary, alongside Fisayo Ajisola, Falz, Juliana Olayode, and Aderounmu Adejumoke. The show was a soft reboot of the film Jenifa. The 2018 comedy film Moms at War starred Akindele and Omoni Oboli. In July 2019, Akindele started a new web series, Aiyetoro Town, a spin-off from her popular TV series, Jenifa's Diary.24 July 2018 Here's when Omoni Oboli's new film will be released in cinemas, Pulse Nigeria She was the former CEO of Scene One Film Production.Mosope Olumide, 14 September 2018 Poverty And Failure: Funke Akindele Reveals Her Greatest Fears In Life, The Net
She made her cinematic directorial debut in the 2019 political drama film, Your Excellency.
Alongside Daniel K. Daniel and Blessing Egbe, Akindele was invited to join the 2022 membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, popularly known as the Oscars, as a voting member.
In 2025, The Hollywood Reporter named her among the most influential women in international film.
Akindele is often compared to American actress Taraji P. Henson. This comparison recently stirred up reactions after Nigerian content creator and actor Enioluwa Adeoluwa spoke against the comparisons between the two actresses.
In late 2025, Funke Akindele’s film *Behind The Scenes* became one of the fastest-grossing Nigerian movies of the year, surpassing ₦1 billion at the box office, in what was described as a milestone for contemporary Nollywood films.
Discussing the work behind Behind The Scenes, during a conversation with media personality Morayo Afolabi-Brown at a Wema Bank International Women's Day event, Akindele said she gave up her social life for almost two years, avoiding parties and public outings while she focused on the film, a period of isolation that led some colleagues to call her a "sadist" before they understood what she was building. In a separate interview with BellaNaija, she said she had similarly neglected her personal grooming and social engagements throughout production, adding that the film's commercial success followed sustained overwork, sleepless nights, and personal sacrifice. The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) subsequently honoured Akindele in recognition of her record-breaking box office achievements.
Political career Akindele was nominated as the Lagos deputy governorship candidate under the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections. Justifying her nomination, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran noted that the actress added more value to his candidacy in the 2023 general elections. The actress confirmed her deputy governorship candidacy and stated that her acting career must be "necessarily put on hold".
Charity initiative Akindele established a non-governmental organization, the Jenifa Foundation, which aims to provide young people with vocational skills.
Endorsements Akindele has endorsement deals. These include being a signed Ambassador to Dettol and Irokotv. In 2018, she was signed as a brand ambassador for Keystone Bank.27 August 2018 Keystone Bank signs Actress, Funke Akindele as brand ambassador, Vanguard Nigeria In November 2019, she signed an endorsement deal with WAW Nigeria, a company that manufactures washing detergent and bar soap.6 November 2019 , "The Nation"
Personal life On 26 May 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. Her pregnancy rumours were among the top-searched results on the Google search engine in August 2017. JJC Skillz announced the end of their marriage, which lasted six years, via his official Instagram handle on June 30, 2022. Akindele gave birth to twin boys in December 2018 and has several step-children.Fikayo Olowolagba, 22 December 2018. Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele defies prophecy, welcomes twins, Daily PostSeun Durojaiye, 13 January 2019 Actress Funke Akindele stuns in native owambe outfit, Legit.ng
In April 2020, Akindele was arrested along with JJC Skillz, her husband at that time and charged for having a birthday party for her husband during a mandated lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus. She later appeared in a Nigeria Centre for Disease Control video to raise awareness about the virus Akindele and her husband were sentenced to a 14-day community service after pleading guilty to violating the lockdown order.
Accolades
In 2025, her film Behind The Scenes became the highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time, breaking the record of Everybody Loves Jenifa.
Akindele has the most wins at award shows such as AMVCA and Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
She also produced and directed the five highest-grossing Nollywood films of all time: Behind The Scenes, Everybody Loves Jenifa, A Tribe Called Judah, Battle on Buka Street, and Omo Ghetto: The Saga.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2000 Final Whistle Angela Directed by Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi Final Whistle 2 Angela Alongside Bukky Ajayi, Padita Agu2002 Sharon Stone Dupe Directed by Adim WilliamsSharon Stone 2 Dupe Alongside Jim Iyke, Genevieve Nnaji 2003Egg of Life IsiomaDirected by Andy AmenechiEgg of Life 2Isioma Alongside Nkiruka Sylvanus2004 Kádàrá Mi SecretaryDirected by Abiodun Olanrewaju & Yinka QuadriAtlanta Kudirat Directed by Charles NoviaBotife Bisola 2005 Agbara Ifẹ Directed by Bakare Adeoye13th Day: Ọjọ Kẹtala Directed by Sunday Ogunyemi13th Day: Ọjọ Kẹtala 2 Directed by Sunday Ogunyemi2006 Narrow Path Wunmi Directed by Kunle KelaniKosefowora Folashade Directed by Tajudeen Mobolaji ArotamboOṣuwọn Ẹda Directed by Yomi Fash-LansoAgbe Fo YẹmisiDirected by Abiodun OlarenwajuAgbe Fo 2 Yemisi Directed by Abiodun OlarenwajuOreke Mulero Directed by Bakare Adeoye Ọdún Nbaku MojiDirected by Ibrahim Chatta and Dele Ogundipe2007 Maku Directed by Abiodun Olarenwaju and Yinka QuadriẸdujọbi Taiye/ Kehinde Directed by Abiodun OlanrewajuẸdujọbi 2 Taiye/ Kehinde B'aye Ṣe Nlọ Alongside Toyin AbrahamỌba Irawọ Okùn Ìfẹ Yí BimpeEgun Directed by Yinka QuadriAkandun 2008 Kàkàkí L'oku Kàkàkí's wife Directed by Anthony OgundimuKàkàkí L'oku 2 Kàkàkí's wife Taiwo, Taiwo T.girl Taiwo, Taiwo 2 T.girl Ajẹ̀ Mẹtta Molayo Ajẹ̀ Mẹtta 2 Molayo Apoti Orogún BolaJenifa JenifaÀtànpàkò Mẹta Ọmọ Pupa 2009 Bolode O'ku FunmiFarayolaOyinkansola Jenifa 2 JenifaAnointed Liars Flora Directed by Innocent ChinagoromAnointed Liars 2 FloraIro Funfun Tomilola Directed by Muhydeen S. AyindeIro Funfun 2 TomilolaIja Ọla Ija Ọla 2 Ọmọ Ìyá Kan Directed by Daniel AdeminokanApaadi Apaadi 2 2010 Omo Ghetto Ayomide & Shalewa/Lefty Omo Ghetto 2 Ayomide & Shalewa/LeftySherikoko Angelina Directed by Amayo Uzo PhilipsWhite Hunters Peggy Directed by Afam OkerekeOgun Àìkú Directed by Muyiwa Ademola 2011 Maami Maami Directed by Tunde KelaniThe Return of Jenifa JenifaJelili Betty Directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo SalamiThe Perfect Church Sister AngelaLadies Gang Samantha Directed by Afam OkerekeLadies Gang 2 SamanthaKujenra Kujenra Directed by Adebayo TijaniKujenra 2 Kujenra 2012 Married but Living SingleKate Directed by Tunde OlaoyeA Wish Directed by Elvis ChuksDirty Diamond Peace/Uju Directed by Okey-Zubelu OkohWisdom of Thomas Ihunna Directed by Tchidi ChikereEmi Abata Tinuke Directed by Adebayo Salami2013 Living Nightmares Monica Directed by Okey-Zubelu OkohOga On Top Directed by Amayo Uzo PhilipsJujuwood Crystal Directed by Tchidi ChikereAgnetta (O'mpa) Directed by Amayo Uzo PhilipsAngelina Angelina Directed by MacCollins ChidebeThe Fighter Monica LewiskyDirected by Amayo Uzo PhilipsBarren Women Directed by Morgan UkaegbuAzonto Babes The Return of Sherikoko Directed by Amayo Uzo Philips 2014 New Horizons SadiePretty LiarsCleoMadam Tyson Chibundu ChibunduMr Potosky Love Wahala Katrine2015 Fight For Peace AdukeOne Fine Day Uncle Oyibo 2016 A Trip to Jamaica Bola Robert Peters2017 Isoken AgnesDouble Trouble Modebola Directional debut 2018 Moms at War Olaide AdetolaDirected by Omoni OboliChief Daddy Tinu Breecroft Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan 2019 UnmendableRachael Your Excellency Kemi Ajadi Cinematic directorial debut 2020 Who's The Boss Hauwa Directed by Chinaza OnuzoOmo Ghetto: The Saga Ayomide & Shalewa/Lefty Directed by Funke Akindele, Abdulrasheed Bello 2021 Dwindle Officer Tolani Kayode Kasum, Dare Olaitan 2022 Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke Tinu Breecroft Directed by Niyi AkinmolayanBattle on Buka Street Yejide Directed by Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde 2023 No Way Through Jolade Okeniyi Directed by Chinaza OnuzoA Tribe Called Judah Jedidah JudahDirected by Funke Akindele and Adeoluwa Owu2024House of Ga'aAyinbaDirected by Bolanle Austen-PetersEverybody Loves JenifaJenifaCo-directed by Tunde Olaoye 2025Reel LoveTomide's motherDirected by Kayode KasumFinding MeTinuke OlowoporokuDirectors Funke Akindele and Isioma OsajeBehind The ScenesAdetutu Fernandez Co-directed by Tunde Olaoye2026The Return of ArinzoDirected by Iyabo OjoWhere Is Mr Right?Madam JanetTunde Olaoye
Television