Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed how she made her first ₦1 million in 1999 from her breakout role as Bisi in the hit TV series “I Need to Know.”
In a video shared online, Akindele reflected on her humble beginnings, years of rejection, and the life-changing opportunity that launched her to fame.
“I started acting around 1996, taking small ‘waka pass’ roles. By 1997, I kept attending auditions and got a lot of nos,” she said.
Her persistence paid off when she landed the lead role in “I Need to Know,” a decision that would change her career forever.
“Then I got one big yes with I Need to Know, and that’s how I earned my first ₦1 million,” Akindele revealed.
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However, the actress almost lost the role during the pilot shoot for “overacting.”
“They told me, ‘You’re a fantastic actress, but you’re overacting.’ I was asked to go home and study the character better,” she recalled.
At home, Akindele’s younger sister helped her fine-tune the teenage character’s tone.
“My sister read the script aloud like a teenager, and I copied her. That was how I got it right,” she said with a smile.
Speaking about how she spent the money, Akindele said the first thing she did was show it to her mother, who advised her to pay her tithe.
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“I paid my tithe, then went straight to Yaba Market. I didn’t have good shoes or clothes, so I changed my wardrobe completely,” she said.
“The girl that had no shoes yesterday had everything today.”
Since then, Funke Akindele has grown into one of Nigeria’s most successful filmmakers and box office record-breakers, proving that perseverance and humility can turn small beginnings into lasting success.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
