Nollywood star Funke Akindele has opened up on how singer D’banj played a pivotal role in her journey to becoming one of Nigeria’s biggest movie stars.
Although the award-winning actress credited God for her incredible success, she revealed that D’banj’s advice and support helped her make the bold move that changed her career forever.
Speaking at the 2025 Media Sales Conference of the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) in Lagos, Funke recounted how D’banj’s words inspired her to expand the Jenifa brand — a decision that would later crown her the Queen of Nigerian Box Office.
D’banj’s Life-Changing Advice
Funke revealed that after the massive success of the first Jenifa movie in 2008, she was ready to move on to other projects — but D’banj encouraged her to keep building on the franchise.
In her words:
“Nobody made me a star, only God. I wrote my script, and that was it. The first Jenifa was released in 2009, which was the turning point. Amidst the buzz, a club owner reached out to host me at his club, and I met D’banj there. He asked what I was doing with the Jenifa brand. I said, ‘I have moved on.’ He said, ‘No. You have to milk it. That’s a brand. Go and write another script.’ He gave me some money, and I went back and continued writing.”
Following D’banj’s advice, Funke went on to create multiple Jenifa sequels, including:
• The Return of Jenifa (2011)
• The long-running Jenifa’s Diary series (2015 – present)
• Aiyetoro Town (2019)
• Jenifa on Lockdown (2021)
• The record-breaking Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024)
Highest-Grossing Filmmaker in Nollywood
Today, Funke Akindele holds the title of Nigeria’s highest-grossing movie producer — with hits like Battle on Buka Street and A Tribe Called Judah, which broke records at the box office.
Her story is a powerful reminder of how one conversation and the right support system can change a person’s destiny.
What’s your favorite Jenifa movie or series?
