Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele popularly known as Jenifa or Funke Akindele is a renowned Nigerian filmmaker, director, producer, actress, and politician. The award-winning actress was born on the 24th of August 1977 and is the second director to gross over a billion naira at the Nigeria box office.
Quick Facts
Name: Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele
Birthdate: August 24, 1977 (Age 46 years)
Nationality: Nigerian
Occupations: Actor, Director, Producer, and Politician.
Schools: Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, University of Lagos.
Years Active: 1998-Present
Marital Status: Divorced
Children: 2 children (Tailor and Kehinde Bello)
Siblings: 4
Net Worth: N1.2 Billion Naira
Early Life And Education
Funke was born on the 24th of August 1977 in Ikorodu Lago State Nigeria. She is the second child of three children born to a medical doctor (mother) and a retired school principal (father).
For her primary education, she attended Grace Children’s School in Gbagada Lagos state. She obtained her Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic formerly Ogun State Polytechnic. She also bagged a law degree from the prestigious University of Lagos.
Career
Funke started her acting career in 1988 when she appeared in a movie titled ‘I Need to Know’ which lasted from 1988 to 2002. However, her big break came in 2008, when she started in the movie Jenifa.
In 2018, she was listed as a cast member in Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War, but was later replaced with another Nigerian actress.
Political Career
The actress was nominated in the 2023 Nigeria election as the Lagos deputy governorship candidate under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). To this effect, the actress stated that her acting career must be placed on hold while she focused on politics. However, after losing the elections, she went back to acting full-time.
Personal And Family Life
Funke Akindele got married to her first husband Adeola Kehinde Oloyede on 26 May 2012, but they later divorced in July 2013, due to irreconcilable differences.
In May 2016, the actress got married to Nigerian rapper JJC Skillz in London. Their marriage was blessed with twin boys which they welcomed in 2018. However, their marriage crashed after 6 years of being together. JJC Skillz announced the end of their marriage on his Instagram handle in June 2022.
How Old Is Funke Akindele?
The actress was born on the 24th of August 1977. She is currently 45 years old.
Records Held by Funke Akindele
Her latest movie ‘A tribe called Judah’ currently holds the record of becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time in Nigeria, breaking the records of her other movies Battle on Buka Street & Omo Ghetto: The Saga.
Her movies Battle on Buka Street and Omo Ghetto: The Saga holds the record for fourth and fifth highest-grossing film in the West Africa region.
Funke also runs a non-governmental organization “The Jenifa Foundation” which aims at providing vocational skills to young people.
Movies and TV shows
Here are some top movies and TV shows of Funke Akindele
- A Tribe called Judah
Battle on Buka Street
Omo ghetto: The Saga
Chief Daddy
Dwindle
Jenifa’s Diary
Jenifa
Apaadi
She must be obeyed
Far from home
Industreet
Isoken
Moms at War
Omo Ghetto
Married but living single
My siblings and I
The Return of Jenifa
A trip to Jamaica
Your Excellency
Who’s the boss
Maami
Endorsements And Deals
Funke Akindele has bagged a lot of endorsement deals with big brands like Dettol, IrokoTv, Keystone Bank, WAW detergent, Kellogg, and Molfix diapers to mention a few.
Awards And Recognition
Funke Akindele has won numerous awards in the Nigerian movie industry and beyond. Below are these awards:
2009 Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in Leading Role (Jenifa)
2009 Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Actress (Jenifa)
Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Actress in 2012 (The Return of Jenifa)
Nollywood Movies Award for Best Indigenous Actress (Emi Bata)
Zulu African Film Academy Award for Best Actress (Maami and The Return of Jenifa)
Nollywood Movies Award for Best Indigenous Actress (Maami)
Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Actress (Agnetta O’mpa)
2014 African Magic Viewers Choice Award for Best Actress in Comedy (The Return of Sheri Koko)
ELOY Award for Brand Ambassador of the Year
2016 African Magic Viewers Choice Award for Best Actress in Comedy (Jenifa’s Diary)
2016 Naija FM Awards for Best Sitecom and Best Actress in Comedy
2016 African Entertainment Legend Award for Best Actress of the Year
2016 Ghana Movies Award for Best Actress African Collaboration (A Trip to Jamaica)
2017 African Magic Viewers Choice Award for Best TV Series and Best Actress in Comedy (Jenifa’s Diary)
2017 Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Lead Actress (A Trip to Jamaica)
2020 African Magic Viewers Choice Award for Best Actress in Comedy (Moms at War)
2021 Net Honours for Most Popular Actress
2022 African Magic Viewers Choice Award for Best Actress in Comedy (Omo Ghetto: The Saga)
2022 Net Honours for Most Popular Actress
Net Worth
Funke Akindele has an estimated net worth of N1.2 Billion Naira. This net worth has placed her among the top three richest actresses in Nigeria with the likes of Rita Dominic and Genevieve Nnaji.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Funke Akindele attend Law school?
No, but she bagged a law degree from the prestigious Lagos State University.
Which church does Funke Akindele attend?
In an interview, the actress said she was born into the Celestial Church and still attends there to date.
How many children did Funke Akindele give birth to?
Funke Akindele has two kids (Twin boys) with her ex-husband JJC Skillz.
Conclusion
Funke Akindele creative in the industry has won her awards and recognition in Nigeria making her one of the most talked about actress in the industry now. Let us know your thoughts about Funke.
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