Award-winning Nollywood actress and producer Funke Akindele has shared an inspiring reflection on her rise in the Nigerian film industry, revealing how she went from playing minor “waka pass” roles to earning her first ₦1 million.
In a video posted on her Instagram page on Saturday, Akindele detailed her humble beginnings, noting that her acting journey began in 1996, during which she struggled to get meaningful roles despite attending countless auditions.
“I started acting in 1996, doing waka pass roles and going from one audition to another. I kept hearing ‘no’ until I finally got a big ‘yes’ with I Need to Know. That was when I earned my first one million naira,” she said.
Her breakthrough came in 1999 when she was cast as Bisi, a lead role in the popular educational TV series I Need to Know.
The role, she said, not only changed her fortunes but marked a major turning point in her career.
However, getting the part wasn’t without challenges. Akindele recalled that she almost lost the role due to her performance during the pilot episode.
“I performed so well during the pilot and was waiting for a call that didn’t come on time. When they eventually called me in, they said I was overacting and asked me to go back and study the character again,” she explained.
It was her younger sister who eventually helped her perfect the role.
After observing Akindele’s performance, she offered some honest feedback and acted out the part of a teenager to help her adjust.
“She told me I didn’t sound like a teenager. Then she read the script and acted it out for me. I picked it up from there, and that was how I truly became Bisi,” Akindele added.
Her portrayal of Bisi resonated with audiences, boosting her visibility and launching her path to becoming one of Nollywood’s most recognisable and successful figures.
On what she did with her first ₦1 million, Akindele shared that the first person she showed the money to was her mother, who advised her to give her tithe before spending it.
“I didn’t have good shoes or decent clothes. I paid my tithe and went to Yaba to buy new ones. The girl who once had nothing finally had something,” she said with pride.
