Funke Akindele Declares: “I’m Not Competing, I Just Want To Tell African Stories

Award-winning filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has reaffirmed her dedication to telling authentic Nigerian and African stories, stressing that her focus is not on competing within the film industry.

Speaking at an event organized by the National Film and Video Censors Board, Akindele said, “I’m not competing. It’s not a competition. I just want to tell African stories, you know, our own Nigerian stories. I want us to feel accepted, loved. I want them to watch our movies, learn, see what we go through, hear our stories directly from a Nigerian, an African. That’s all I want to do.”

When asked about upcoming sequels and new releases, Akindele declined to reveal specifics but assured fans that they would be pleased with what is to come. “I don’t want to spill it yet. Let’s keep our fingers crossed, but you will love it. I don’t put pressure on myself; I just take it day by day,” she added.

Akindele’s films have repeatedly set box office records, with her top four highest-grossing Nollywood productions earning over N7.6 billion. Her most recent release, Behind The Scenes, grossed N2.7 billion, making it the highest-grossing Nollywood film to date.

The filmmaker attributes her continued success to embracing constructive criticism, continual learning, and experimenting with new storytelling techniques. “It’s about recreating story patterns and moving beyond what you normally do. I listen to constructive criticism and learn from competitors, mentors, movies, books, and stories to grow my craft. It took a lot of hard work on Behind The Scenes,” she said.

Reflecting on her creative process, Akindele added, “I was originally set to produce A Tribe Called Judah Part Two, but I felt inspired to take a different direction. The result is something I’m proud of, and it’s a good one for me.”

According to Ireporter Online, Akindele continues to shape the Nigerian film industry by championing stories that resonate with local and global audiences alike.