Akindele-Bello Olufunke Ayotunde born (24 August 1977) Professionally known, as Funke Akindele or Jenifa is a Nigerian-born actress, producer Scriptwriter, Director, Comedian, Brand Ambassadors, Entrepreneur, CEO of Scene One Film Production, and a politician. Akindele was nominated as the Lagos deputy governorship candidate under Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria) in the upcoming 2023 elections. In justifying her nomination, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, noted that the actress will add more value to his candidacy in the 2023 general elections. Confirming her deputy governorship candidacy on Tuesday, the actress stated that her acting career must be “necessarily put on hold”.
Akindele 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 rose to fame for her role in the movie titled Jenifa which earned her the nickname Jenifa. The Omo Ghettotrilogy contributed to her fame. Funke Akindele played the lead role in the show Jenifa’s Diary, for which she was named the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. 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 governorship election.
Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde was born on August 24, 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. Funke is the second of three children (two girls and one boy). Her mother is a Medical Doctor while
her father is a retired School Principal. Funke obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, and got a Law degree from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba.
Funke 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. 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, a very popular franchise in Nigeria owned by Funke Akindele herself. She has starred and featured in over 100 movies since
In 2009, she made headlines across Africa as the Best Actress in a leading role, for her role as Jenifa. Apart from that very award in 2009, she has won a good number of awards and endorsements for her ability to actually entertain. Her career as an actress will always remain a subject of perfection and great joy to her as long as she lives.
In January 2018, there was a controversy when it was reported that Akindele would get her Hollywood debut in Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War 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 a July 2016 interview, Funke Akindele 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 Funke Akindele and Omoni Oboli. 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 Scene One Film Production. She made her directorial debut in the 2019 political drama film, Your Excellency.
The actress has signed an endorsement deal with Kellogg’s Nigeria, a brand with cereal products. Although there is no certainty of the time in which she signed the deal, she has appeared in commercials for the brand. She also was part of the brand’s 2021 World’s breakfast day essay competition for pupils ages 5-12.
Molfix (2020)
Molfix is a leading baby diaper that Funke Akindele signed an endorsement deal with in 2020. The endorsement deal led to her becoming the first in Nigeria to be signed as an ambassador.
Waw Nigeria (2019)
The company is famous for its Waw detergent and bar soap. Around the fall of 2019, the actress and producer, through her social media platform, shared the news about signing an endorsement deal with the company. Nonetheless, what she has kept from the public is how much money she made through the deal.
Dettol (2019)
The actress has appeared in commercials for the Dettol brand. The deal with the antibacterial brand was said to have landed her multi-millions of Naira in 2019.
This self-driven commercial bank 2018 sealed an endorsement deal with Funke Akindele in the hope of strengthening its business through her large followership and fame.
Western Lotto (2017)
The Nigerian lottery company signed Funke Akindele in 2017 as its brand ambassador to join other A-list stars such as Chinedu Ikedieze, Ramsey Noah, AY, and Tuface Idibia.
irokoWorld tv (2016)
In 2016, the actress signed an ambassadorial deal with Iroko Tv – an entertainment channel. Although it is not known how much exactly she made from the deal, there are reports that she may have earned multi-millions from the deal.
Glo (2015)
In 2015, the actress signed another deal with Glo, a mobile telecommunication company. She signed this deal alongside other celebrities, including Wizkid, AY, P-Square, Ini Edo, and Patience Ozokwor. Like many other times, she won deals as an ambassador, but the actress has not disclosed how much she earned from the leading multinational company.
Jobberman (2013)Jobberman is a Nigerian job website that Funke Akindele signed a multi-million endorsement deal with in 2013.
Vitafoam (2013)In 2013, she recorded another endorsement deal with Vita Foam that is purportedly worth 20 million. The company leads in the manufacturing of foam products in Nigeria, such as matrasses, pillows, and furniture, among others.
PERSONAL LIFE
On May 26, 2012, Funke Akindele married Adeola Kehinde Oloyede. The couple divorced in July 2013, citing irreconcilable differences. Funke Akindele married Nigerian rapper JJC Skillz in London in May 2016 Her pregnancy rumors were among the top search results on Google search engine in August 2017. Funke Akindele gave birth to twin boys in December 2018 and has several step-children.
Controversies Involving Funke Akindele
In April 2020, Akindele was arrested and charged in court for hosting a birthday party in honor of her husband during the period of an imposed lockdown (to tackle coronavirus. She later appeared in a Nigeria Centre for Disease Control video to raise awareness about coronavirus. actress and her husband were sentenced to 14-day community service after pleading guilty to violating the lockdown order.
NET WORTH
Even though it is certain that the actress may have earned hugely in her acting career and is one of the richest in the industry, her exact net worth has been debatable as numerous sources report differently. The reports claim her worth to be as low as $1 million and as high as $7.6 million.
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