Funke Akindele: Championing women’s economic power

From the bustling streets of Lagos to shattering Nollywood box office records for seven consecutive years, Funke Akindele’s journey is defined by ambition, resilience, and a firm belief in the transformative role of women’s economic power.

In this exclusive interview with Guardian Life, she opens on her growth from being a young actress on I Need to Know to directing her first film, navigating the challenges of a male-dominated industry, and becoming a global phenomenon. The box office record breaker is lending her voice and influence to a movement dedicated to unlocking the economic potential of Nigerian women.

A role model for aspiring female filmmakers and entrepreneurs, Akindele demonstrates that with determination and grit, women can achieve extraordinary success. She speaks on the importance of women’s economic power in Nigeria and how she’s using her platform to inspire and empower the next generation of female leaders.

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Fiscal autonomy is something many women struggle with right from childhood. How are you using your movies and voice to preach this message?

Through my movies, especially Jenifa’s Diary, we encourage women to get into business, do something for themselves, get a job, be responsible and valuable so that they can have their own money. I am not stopping with this message anytime soon and will keep sensitising and enlightening young ladies till we get them to the point of financial freedom.

As a successful professional in the entertainment industry, what do you think young women can do to improve their financial situations?

Get yourself trained and attend enriching programmes to equip yourself. As an entrepreneur, you have to undergo continuous training to learn and re-learn to grow. Don’t assume you know it all because the world is changing and evolving rapidly, daily. When you see networking opportunities—where businesswomen are or where you can learn from mentors and people who have done it ahead of you—take yourself there. And for us who are like role models, we must continue encouraging young ones through workshops, training, mentorship, and so on. As a young woman, put yourself in positions where you learn new things so you can grow your career or business, which in turn leads to financial independence.

What role can men play in helping women achieve financial independence?

It is important for men to stop thinking that if the woman in their lives gets her own money, she won’t need them anymore, or they will lose control over her. This is even very stressful to you as a man and leads to burnout. That woman in your life is a human being like you who should have her own money to live independently of you, the man. It doesn’t speak well of you that she has to ask for money for even the most minor thing from you, and this can quickly become a means of control.

Encourage the women around you to be financially strong so they can support you. Women out there, it is imperative for you to get your own money, and when you do, it doesn’t mean you have to become unruly or proud. No, get your own money so you are free and can get whatever you like. Men, don’t be afraid about your spouse or daughter having economic power because when you contribute, and she contributes, that is how wealth is built. It shouldn’t be a competition but more of a collaboration.

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Many of us started watching you on I Need to Know, and one noticeable feature in your movies and series is that women are powerful and at the centre of your stories. Where did this come from?

I learned this from my mom, who raised me well. She raised me to be a strong, bold woman and to be very hardworking. My mom taught me that hard work and dedication bring success. So I incorporate it in everything I do, including my movies.

You’ve broken the box office record seven years in a row, grossing over a billion naira last year. How are you able to do it again and again? How do you spot a money-maker?

I have a business manager that I work with, and we do things together. I’m more of a creative, but I know what to do to bring in the money; the type of content to churn out, what will attract the audience, do well in the cinemas, and get the money. I tell my African stories authentically, what Nigerians go through.

But concerning the money and the business, I work with a team. I pass my creativity to them and they come back with advice. Even as a creative, you must know the business too, you must know how it works, how to bring the money in and how to make your money back.

For me, partnerships, training, risk-taking, and getting out of my comfort zone is what helps me bring in the money. Young ladies out there, you see me breaking the record, it is not easy. So, when I speak to you, it is from a place of experience.

Being a woman in leadership, have there been times when people did not accord you the respect given to men in the same position or even lower than you? How did you handle it?

Yes, I have experienced this. God bless Aunty Mo Abudu who gave me the opportunity to direct my first film, Your Excellency. The cameramen were like, ‘Where is this one coming from? This was my first time directing, so I was a bit shaky. I was quite mindful of those men then and would beg Aunty Mo, ‘You will follow me to set o,’ and she always said no. ‘Ma sope oni direct film yen o, (Don’t tell me you cannot direct that film); you will do so, you are a woman, you are bold.’

I went there to do my thing and they were giving me attitude. There was a particular camera operator who was being difficult, and I reminded him that he had worked with me on Industreet. He was one of the camera operators on that TV show, and we met again on the set of that film. I told him to take a particular shot for me and he refused, saying I couldn’t do it like that as ‘this is not a TV show. It’s film.’ I walked away because I didn’t want to start misbehaving on set and I went to cry somewhere. Aunty Mo called me and told me I was not going anywhere. She told me to stand my ground, ‘You started this thing and you will finish it,’ and I went back on set, wiped my tears away and stood my ground, telling them what I wanted and they must get it done.

Once you know what you are doing, be open to corrections, conversations, and dialogues, but don’t let anyone run you down. Stand your ground, there is nothing you cannot do once you set your mind to it. Just do it. Tell yourself that you were paid to do a job, you are the boss there, and they have no choice but to listen to you. That’s it. Most importantly, however, ensure you know your onions well and have what it takes to deliver on said job.

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You’ve spoken extensively about financial independence. What does this “Her Money, Her Power” campaign mean to you personally and to the millions of young Nigerian women who look up to you?

It means a lot because I’m a woman and I have done very well in my industry. Women’s economic power in this industry is a challenging task but, thankfully, we can all see that because I am doing it, it is very possible to do it too. Her Money, Her Power mentality gives me the strength to make vital business decisions, source for funds and correct the narrative that women are lower-ranked in this industry. Men are often automatically assumed to be directors, producers, and successful, but we are correcting this notion that women can also be these things and be successful at them. Any opportunity I see to push this message out to young ladies that you can make your own money without relying on any man, I will always do so.

Young women, with hard work, dedication, and training experience, you will get it right in your business and, eventually, be financially independent. I have had cases of trying to pay someone money, and they give you their husband’s bank accounts because either they are not allowed to have a bank account or they cannot have that much money in their account without their husband or partner knowing. This is normal for some people. And this is why we need to get this message of economic power to all women.