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In The Movie Industry
Funke Akindele has continued to set herself apart in Nigeria’s movie industry by redefining what it means to be a successful filmmaker in Nollywood. Beyond her popularity as an actress, Akindele has deliberately positioned herself as a full creative and business force, controlling storytelling, production, marketing, and distribution in a way few filmmakers on the continent have achieved.
Unlike many of her contemporaries who focus mainly on acting roles, Akindele has consistently taken charge behind the scenes as a writer, director, and producer. This decision has allowed her to shape her projects from conception to cinema release, ensuring that her films are culturally relevant, commercially viable, and technically polished. Her ability to blend relatable Nigerian stories with high production standards has made her films crowd-pullers both locally and internationally.
One of the clearest demonstrations of what she is doing differently is her approach to box-office strategy. Akindele treats each film release as a major entertainment event, carefully timing her movies for peak seasons and backing them with aggressive, well-coordinated marketing campaigns. She combines cinema promotions, social media engagement, influencer collaborations, and fan interactions, ensuring that her films dominate public conversation long before they hit the big screen.
This strategy has paid off remarkably. Her recent movie Behind The Scenes has crossed the N2 billion mark at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing African films of all time. The success of the film further reinforces Akindele’s status as Africa’s most commercially successful filmmaker, with industry observers describing her as the highest-grossing writer, director, and producer in West Africa’s history.
FilmOne, one of Africa’s leading film distribution companies, has also highlighted Akindele’s historic achievement, noting that she has now become the first filmmaker to rank number one at the African box office for three consecutive years. The distributor described this feat as unprecedented in the region’s film industry, underscoring how Akindele has consistently raised the bar for commercial success in Nollywood.
Before Behind The Scenes, Akindele had already delivered a string of record-breaking films that changed perceptions about the earning power of Nigerian cinema. Titles such as Omo Ghetto: The Saga and A Tribe Called Judah not only shattered box-office records but also proved that locally produced films could compete strongly in cinemas and attract massive audiences without compromising cultural authenticity.
Another major difference in Akindele’s approach is her insistence on ownership and structure. Through her production outfits, she has built a system that allows her to retain creative control while also running filmmaking as a serious business. This structure enables her to invest in quality scripts, experienced crew members, strong post-production processes, and efficient distribution channels, both within Nigeria and beyond.
Funke Akindele has also used her platform to nurture talent and build longevity within the industry. Many actors, writers, and directors who have worked on her projects have gone on to establish successful careers of their own. Her long-running television projects and films have served as training grounds, strengthening the industry’s human capital while expanding its creative depth.
Perhaps most importantly, Akindele understands her audience deeply. She tells stories that reflect everyday Nigerian realities—family struggles, street culture, humour, faith, and resilience, while presenting them in ways that appeal to modern cinema audiences. This balance of authenticity and mass appeal is a key reason her films resonate widely and deliver consistent commercial returns.
Funke Akindele by combining creative excellence with business intelligence, has not only dominated the box office but has also created a blueprint for the future of Nollywood filmmaking, one where Nigerian stories are profitable, globally visible, and proudly homegrown.
Promise Babatunde
