Nigerian filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has opened up about the personal sacrifices she made to build her highly successful Jenifa franchise, revealing that she gave up her social life and spent nearly two years in isolation to focus on the project.
Akindele disclosed while speaking at an International Women’s Day event organised by Wema Bank, where she reflected on the dedication and discipline required to achieve long-term success in the entertainment industry.
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According to the actress, the journey to building the Jenifa brand required intense commitment, which led her to step away from social activities and concentrate entirely on developing the project.
She explained that during that period, she assumed multiple responsibilities, including writing, producing, directing and acting, while also supervising every department involved in the production.
“We are seeing the billions, we are all saying congratulations, the accolades, Funke is doing a great job. I want to be like Funke, but what it costs me to be sitting here today is a lot,” she said.
“It took my time. When I say ‘my time,’ I mean I didn’t have a life. No party life, no social life.”
The award-winning filmmaker recalled that she stayed at Amen Estate for nearly two years while building the Jenifa brand, dedicating her energy to writing scripts, overseeing production processes and ensuring the quality of every aspect of the project.
“I remember locking myself up in Amen Estate for almost two years, just building the Jenifa brand. Writing, producing, directing, playing Jenifer, supervising every department to grow the brand,” she said.
Akindele also revealed that her decision to stay away from social events during that period attracted criticism from colleagues in the industry, many of whom misunderstood her commitment.
“And I remember my colleagues would be so mad at me for not going to people’s parties. They would ask, ‘What’s wrong with you? She is a sadist,’ but they didn’t know what I was doing,” she added.
Despite the criticism, the actress maintained that her focus remained on achieving her creative goals and growing the Jenifa brand into a major success.
She further explained that the process required emotional resilience, especially when projects faced criticism or did not meet expectations.
According to her, learning to accept criticism and remain focused played a significant role in shaping her career.
“Sometimes I want to relax, so I remind myself to stand up. No time to chill; you have a target,” she said.
Akindele also described vulnerability as an important part of the creative process, noting that when a filmmaker invests deeply in a project, criticism can be difficult to handle.
However, she added that enduring such moments ultimately contributed to her growth and success.
Today, Akindele is widely regarded as one of the most successful filmmakers in Nollywood, with the Jenifa franchise becoming one of the most recognised brands in the Nigerian film industry.
Her story, she noted, highlights the importance of dedication, discipline, and perseverance for creatives seeking to build lasting careers.
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