Funke Akindele facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Funke Akindele
Funke Akindele at the 2020 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Born	Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde (1977-08-24) 24 August 1977 (age 47) Lagos State, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigerian
Other names	Jenifa
Alma mater	Moshood Abiola Polytechnic University of Lagos
Occupation	Actress film producer director
Years active	1998–present
Political party	PDP

Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele (born August 24, 1977), known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, is a famous Nigerian actress, director, and producer. She is also a politician and a realtor. Funke Akindele became well-known for her role in the TV show I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002. Later, in 2009, she won a major award for her role in the movie Jenifa.

She continued to play the character Jenifa in the 2011 movie The Return of Jenifa and the popular TV series Jenifa's Diary, which started in 2015. For Jenifa's Diary, she won the Best Actress in a Comedy award multiple times at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Funke Akindele is the actress with the most nominations and wins at the AMVCA. She is also one of the top directors in Nigeria, with her films earning over ₦4.7 billion at the box office.

In 2022, she was chosen as a running mate for the Lagos state governorship election by the People's Democratic Party. In December 2024, the UNAIDS made her their National Goodwill Ambassador for Nigeria. This role helps her promote HIV prevention across the country.

Early Life and Education

Funke Akindele was born on August 24, 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. She is from the Yoruba ethnic group. She is the second of three children. Her mother was a doctor, and her father was a retired school principal.

She went to Grace Children's School in Gbagada, Lagos State. She studied Mass Communication at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. Later, she earned a Law degree from the University of Lagos.

Her Acting and Directing Career

Funke Akindele at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards

Funke Akindele first gained attention in the TV show I Need to Know. This show was supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). In the show, she played Bisi, a smart high school student. Her big break came in 2008 with the movie Jenifa.

In 2010, she starred in the film Omo Ghetto, which became very popular. She has produced and starred in many successful Yoruba films. This made her a household name in the region. By 2013, she also became very popular in the English-speaking part of the Nigerian film industry.

Funke Akindele played the main character in the TV show Jenifa's Diary. This show was a new version of her movie Jenifa. In 2018, she starred in the comedy film Moms at War. In 2019, she started a new web series called Aiyetoro Town, which was a spin-off from Jenifa's Diary.

She directed her first cinema film, Your Excellency, in 2019. In 2022, she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, also known as the Oscars, as a voting member. In 2025, The Hollywood Reporter recognized her as one of the most influential women in international film.

Political Journey

In 2022, Funke Akindele was chosen as the deputy governorship candidate for Lagos under the Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria). The main candidate, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, said she brought a lot of value to their campaign. Funke Akindele confirmed that she would put her acting career on hold for her political role.

Helping Others

Funke Akindele started a non-profit organization called the Jenifa Foundation. This foundation helps young people learn useful skills for jobs.

Brand Endorsements

Funke Akindele has worked as an ambassador for several brands. She has had deals with Dettol and Irokotv. In 2018, she became a brand ambassador for Keystone Bank. In November 2019, she signed a deal with WAW Nigeria, a company that makes washing detergents.

Personal Life

Funke Akindele married Adeola Kehinde Oloyede in May 2012, but they divorced in July 2013. She then married Nigerian rapper JJC Skillz in London in May 2016. They welcomed twin boys in December 2018. In June 2022, JJC Skillz announced that their marriage had ended after six years. Funke Akindele also has several step-children.

Amazing Records

Funke Akindele at 2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards

In 2025, her movie Everybody Loves Jenifa became the highest-grossing Nigerian movie ever. It broke the record previously held by her own movie, A Tribe Called Judah.

Funke Akindele has won the most awards at shows like the AMVCA and the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. She is the producer and director of the four highest-grossing Nollywood movies of all time: Everybody Loves Jenifa, A Tribe Called Judah, Battle on Buka Street, and Omo Ghetto: The Saga.

Selected Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Awards and Recognitions

See also

In Spanish: Funke Akindele para niños

• List of Yoruba people
• List of Nigerian actresses