I’m Not Blocking Anyone’s Progress” — Funke Akindele Fires Back At Kunle Afolayan

Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has addressed recent comments suggesting that her movie promotion style is affecting the progress of other filmmakers in the industry, firmly dismissing the claim.

According to Ireporter Online, Akindele’s response followed remarks made by fellow filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, who openly criticised what he described as the exhausting nature of current movie marketing trends, particularly the growing reliance on dance-driven promotions. Afolayan recalled his past experiences promoting films and expressed a desire to release future projects without engaging in physically demanding publicity routines. He questioned how some filmmakers consistently produce skits and change costumes for promotional content, admitting that such an approach was not sustainable for him.

Reacting via a series of Instagram posts, Akindele rejected the notion that her marketing strategy was a barrier to anyone else’s success. She emphasised that every creative professional has the freedom to choose what works best for them and maintained that no individual’s progress should be blamed on another’s methods.

She further noted that the entertainment industry offers enough opportunities for everyone to succeed, urging her colleagues to focus on developing alternative strategies rather than criticising those already in use. Akindele encouraged filmmakers who find current promotional trends overwhelming to explore different creative paths or outsource their marketing efforts to professional firms.

Reaffirming her personal focus, the actress stated that she remains committed to her own journey and trusts in her vision and faith to guide her career decisions. Akindele currently holds the record as Nollywood’s highest-grossing filmmaker, with her 2025 release, Behind The Scenes, reportedly generating ₦2.407 billion at the box office. She is widely recognised for her high-energy promotional campaigns, often featuring dance routines and comedy skits shared across social media platforms to drive audience engagement.