Funke Akindele Reveals How She Earned Her First N1 Million in 1999
Nollywood actress, filmmaker, and producer Funke Akindele has opened up about how she earned her first N1 million in 1999, marking a major turning point in her career and setting her on the path to becoming one of Nigeria’s most successful entertainment figures.
In a recent video, Akindele shared that her big break came through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored TV series I Need to Know, where she played the role of Bisi, a bright and curious teenager navigating life, adolescence, and social values. The show aired between 1998 and 2002, during which she was between 21 and 24 years old, having been born in August 1977.
The educational drama became a national success and introduced Akindele to fame. However, she revealed that she almost lost the role after filming the pilot episode because the producers felt she didn’t sound youthful enough for a teenager.
“I shot the pilot and acted so well, but they told me I wasn’t sounding like a teenager,” Akindele recalled. “They asked me to go home, study the script better, and return for another pilot.”
Determined not to lose the opportunity, she said she practiced with her younger sister to sound more like a teenager. “That was how I perfected the role,” she explained. “When I was called back, I nailed it — and that project gave me my first N1 million.”
Back then, N1 million was a huge amount of money in Nigeria. In 1999, the naira traded at an average of N99.26 per U.S. dollar, making Akindele’s earnings roughly $10,000 — a massive sum for a young actress in her early twenties.
Akindele shared that her first reaction was to show the cheque to her mother, who advised her to pay her tithe and save wisely. “After that, I changed my wardrobe because I barely had clothes or shoes. The girl who once had nothing suddenly had options,” she said with laughter.
The experience, she added, taught her the value of discipline, consistency, and self-improvement, principles that have guided her through her successful career.
Since her early days on I Need to Know, Funke Akindele has evolved into one of Nollywood’s most accomplished filmmakers. Her production company, Scene One Productions, has produced blockbuster hits like A Tribe Called Judah (₦1.5 billion), Battle on Buka Street (₦668 million), and Omo Ghetto: The Saga (₦636 million) — all among Nigeria’s highest-grossing films.
Collectively, her movies have generated over ₦4 billion at the box office, securing her place as Nollywood’s most bankable filmmaker and a role model for aspiring creators across Africa.
