Funke Akindele
Introduction '''Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele'''  (born 24 August 1977) popularly known as '''Funke Akindele''' or '''Jenifa,''' is a Nigerian filmmaker, actress, director, producer and politician. Akindele starred in the sitcom ''I Need to Know'' from 1998 to 2002, and in 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. for her role in ''Jenifa'',  which brought her into fame. Akindele reprised the role in a 2015 television series adaption titled ''Jenifa's Diary'', for which she was named the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 and 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Akindele won the same award in 2020 and 2022, making it her fifth win for the Best Actress in a Comedy category. Akindele is the most nominated actress/filmmaker at the AMVCA and currently owns six wins which makes her the actress with most wins. She is the second director to gross over a billion naira at the Nigeria box office and currently the Highest grossing Nigerian Director in Nigerian Box Office with a total Gross of over '''₦2.9 billion''' .In 2022, she was nominated by the People's Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, as the running mate for the 2023 Lagos state governorship election.
Early life and education Akindele was born on 24 August 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. She is Yoruba. She is the second of three children (two girls and one boy). Her mother is a medical doctor while her father is a retired school principal. She attended Grace Children's School, Gbagada, Lagos State. She obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now known as Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. She earned a Law degree from the University of Lagos.
Career Funke Akindele at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsAkindele came into the limelight after starring in the popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom ''I Need to Know'', which ran from 1998 to 2002.Funke Akindele played Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student. Funke Akindele's big break came in 2008 when she appeared in the movie ''Jenifa. ''In January 2018, there was a controversy when it was reported that Funke Akindele would get her Hollywood debut in Marvel's ''Avengers: Infinity War'' as she was listed as a member of the cast on IMDb. Mainstream Nigerian press reported that Jenifa was set to star in ''Infinity War'' as the guard Dora Milaje, citing IMDb. Some weeks later her name was replaced with that of fellow Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji, with Funke Akindele's upload shown to have been a hack. In February 2018, it was reported that Senate President and chair of the National Assembly, Dr. Bukola Saraki , had advised Marvel Studios to feature Akindele in ''Infinity War. ''In an interview in July 2016,  Funke Akindele stated she was acting less in the Yoruba film industry at that time because of piracy. Akindele plays the lead character in the ongoing hit TV show ''Jenifa's Diary'', alongside Fisayo Ajisola, Falz, Juliana Olayode, and Aderounmu Adejumoke. The show is an adaption of the movie ''Jenifa''. The 2018 comedy film ''Moms at War'' stars Funke Akindele and Omoni Oboli. In July 2019, Akindele started a new web series, ''Aiyetoro Town'', a spinoff from her popular TV series, ''Jenifa's Diary.'' She is the former CEO of Scene One Film Production.She made her cinematic directorial debut in the 2019 political drama film, ''Your Excellency''.
Political career Akindele was nominated as the Lagos deputy governorship candidate under Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria) in the 2023 elections. In justifying her nomination, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, noted that the actress will add more value to his candidacy in the 2023 general elections. Confirming her deputy governorship candidacy on Tuesday, the actress stated that her acting career must be “necessarily put on hold”.
Charity initiative Akindele runs a non-governmental organization known as the Jenifa Foundation, which aims at providing young people with vocational skills.
Endorsements Akindele has endorsement deals such as her being signed as an Ambassador to Dettol and Irokotv. In 2018, she was signed as a brand ambassador for Keystone Bank. In November 2019, she signed an endorsement deal with Waw Nigeria, a company that manufactures detergent and bar soap.
Personal life On 26 May 2012, Funke Akindele married Adeola Kehinde Oloyede. The couple divorced in July 2013, citing irreconcilable differences. Funke Akindele married Nigerian rapper JJC Skillz in London in May 2016.Her pregnancy rumours were among the top searched results on Google search engine in August 2017.JJC Skillz announced the end of the union between him and the popular actress which lasted six years via his official Instagram handle on June 30, 2022.Funke Akindele gave birth to twin boys in December 2018 and has several step-children.
Controversy In April 2020, Akindele was arrested along with JJC Skillz, her husband at that time, and charged for having a birthday party for her husband during a mandated lockdown to tackle coronavirus. She later appeared in a Nigeria Centre for Disease Control video to raise awareness about coronavirus. The actress and her husband were sentenced to a 14-day community service after pleading guilty to violating the lockdown order.
Record holdings Funke Akindele at 2021 Africa Movie Academy AwardsHer movie ''A Tribe Called Judah'' is currently the highest-grossing movie of all time in Nigeria, breaking the record of her movie ''Battle on Buka Street. ''Akindele has the most wins at award shows like AMVCA and NEA Awards.She is the producer and director of the three highest grossing Nollywood movies of all time, ''A Tribe Called Judah, Battle on Buka Street'' and ''Omo Ghetto: The Saga.''
Filmography  Year Title  Role  Notes 1998  ''I Need To Know''  Bisi  Soap Opera  2002  Final Whistle  Angela  Final Whistle 2  Angela 2002 Sharon Stone  Dupe Sharon Stone 2  Dupe   2003Egg of Life IsiomaEgg of Life 2 Isioma 2004  Kádàrá Mi SecretaryAtlanta  Kudrat Atlanta  Kudrat Botife  Bisola 2005  Agbara Ifẹ 13th Day: Ọjọ Kẹtala 13th Day: Ọjọ Kẹtala 2 2006  Narrow Path Wunmi Kosefowora Folashade Oṣuwọn Ẹda Agbe Fo YẹmisiAgbe Fo 2 Yemisi Oreke Mulero  Ọdún Nbaku 2007  Maku  Ẹdujọbi  Taiye/ Kehinde Ẹdujọbi 2  Taiye/ Kehinde B'aye Ṣe Nlọ Ọba Irawọ Okùn Ìfẹ Yí Egun  Akandun 2008 Kàkàkí L'oku  Kàkàkí's wife Kàkàkí L'oku 2  Kàkàkí's wife Taiwo,Taiwo  T.girl  Taiwo,Taiwo 2  T.girl Ajẹ̀ Mẹtta  Molayo Ajẹ̀ Mẹtta 2  Molayo Apoti Orogún  Bola Jenifa  Sulia Adedayo/ Jenifa Àtànpàkò Mẹta Ọmọ Pupa 2009 Bolode O'ku Funmi Farayola Oyinkansola  Jenifa 2 Sulia Adedayo/ Jenifa Anointed Liars Flora Anointed Liars 2 Flora Iro Funfun  Tomilola Iro Funfun 2 Tomilola Ija Ọla Ija Ọla 2 Ọmọ Ìyá Kan  Apaadi  Apaadi 2  2010 Omo Ghetto Ayomide & Shalewa/Lefty  Omo Ghetto 2 Ayomide & Shalewa/Lefty Sherikoko Angelina White Hunters  Peggy Ogun Àìkú   2011 Maami Maami The Return of Jenifa Sulia Adedayo/Jenifa Jelili Betty The Perfect Church Sister Angela Ladies Gang Samantha Ladies Gang 2 Samantha Kujenra Kujenra Kujenra 2 Kujenra  2012 Married but Living SingleKate A Wish Dirty Diamond Peace/Uju  Wisdom of Thomas Ihunna Emi Abata Tinuke 2013 Living Nightmares Monica Oga On Top Jujuwood Crystal Agnetta(O'mpa) Angelina Angelina The Fighter Monica LewiskyBarren Women Azonto Babes The Return of Sherikoko   2014 New Horizons Sadie Pretty LiarsCleo  Madam Tyson Chibundu  Mr Potosky Love Wahala  2015 Fight For Peace Aduke Jenifa's Diary Sulia Adedayo/JenifaTv series One Fine Day Uncle Oyibo  2016 A Trip to Jamaica Bola 2017 Isoken Agnes Industreet Francesca Web SeriesDouble Trouble Modebola Directional debut 2018  My Siblings and I  Vivian Aberuagba  Tv series  Moms at War Olaide AdetolaChief Daddy Tinu Breecroft  2019 Aiyetoro Town Sulia Adedayo/ Jenifa Web series  Unmendable Rachael Your Excellency Kemi Ajadi Cinematic directorial debut  2020 Who's The Boss Hauwa  Omo Ghetto: The Saga Ayomide &Shalewa/Lefty  2021 Dwindle Officer Tolani  Jenifa on Lockdown Suliat Adedayo/Jenifa Web series 2022Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke Tinu Breecroft Far From Home (TV series) Patricia Tv Series Battle on Buka Street Yejide  2023 She Must Be Obeyed She/Siyanbola Adewole Limited seriesNo Way Through Jolade Okeniyi A Tribe Called Judah Jedidah Juadh
Awards and nominations YearEventPrizeWorkResultRef2009Africa Movie Academy AwardBest Actress in a Leading Role''Jenifa''2009 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Actress20102010 Best of Nollywood AwardsBest Actress in a Leading Role (Yoruba)''Ogun Aiku''20122012 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Actress''The Return of Jenifa''2012 Nollywood Movies AwardsBest Actress (Indigenous)''Emi Abata''2012 Best of Nollywood AwardsBest Actress (English)''Married but Living Single''Zulu African Film Academy AwardsBest Actress''Maami'' and ''The Return of Jenifa''20132013 Nollywood Movies AwardsBest Actress (Leading Role)''Maami''Best Actress (Indigenous)2013 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actress (Drama)''Maami'' Best Actress (Comedy)''The Return of Jenifa''20142014 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Actress (Leading Role)''Agnetta O’Mpa''2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actress (Comedy)''The Return of Sheri Koko''ELOY AwardsBrand Ambassador of the YearOmo20162016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actress In Comedy Role''Jenifa's Diary''Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Actress SeriesNaija FM AwardsSitcom Of The YearBest Actress in ComedyAfrica Entertainment Legend AwardsBest Actress of the Year2016 Ghana Movies AwardsBest Actress Africa Collaboration''A Trip to Jamaica''20172017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest TV Series''Jenifa's Diary''Best Actress in a Comedy Movie or TV Series''A Trip to Jamaica''2017 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Lead Actress20202020 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Actress in a comedy''Moms At War''2021Net HonoursMost Popular ActressMost Searched ActressAfrica Movie Academy AwardsBest Actress in a Leading Role''Omo Ghetto: The Saga''2022Africa Magic Viewers' Choice AwardsBest Actress in A Comedy ''''Best Costume Designer  Best Movie West Africa Best Overall Movie Best Television Series''Jenifa's Diary'' Best Africa Magic Original Comedy Series''My Siblings & I'' NET HonoursMost Popular Actress2023Africa Magic Viewers' Choice AwardsBest Actress In A Comedy Movie/TV Series''Battle on Buka Street''Best WriterBest Overall Movie Africa International Film FestivalGlobe Award Honoree NET Honours Most Popular Actress Most Searched Actress Legit.ng's Readers' Choice Awards Best Actress in 2023
See also * List of Yoruba people* List of Nigerian actresses
References
External links * * https://twitter.com/funkeakindele* https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-54481696