Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has revealed how she earned her first ₦1 million in 1999 after landing the breakthrough role of Bisi in the hit TV series, I Need to Know.
In a video posted on her Instagram page on Saturday, Akindele recounted her early struggles in Nollywood and how perseverance eventually led to her big break.
According to her, she began her acting career in 1996, taking up minor “waka-pass” roles and enduring several rejections at auditions before finally being cast in I Need to Know.
“I made that around 1999. I started my career from like 1996, playing waka pass roles, going for auditions and getting a lot of nos,” she recalled.
“Then I got one big yes with I Need to Know, and that’s how I made my first one million naira.”
The actress said she almost lost the role after producers complained that she was “overacting” during the pilot shoot, but later adjusted her performance with the help of her younger sister.
“I shot the pilot and acted so well, but the callback didn’t come on time,” Akindele said. “Then one of the producers told me I was overacting and needed to go back and understand the character better.”
“When I got home, I told my younger sister, and she started reading the script like a teenager. That helped me find the right tone for Bisi — and that was how I got the role.”
Akindele said her first major pay cheque left her both shocked and grateful.
“We were paid per episode, but when it all added up, it was about one million naira. I was shocked — me that always jumped okada to go for auditions!”
On how she spent the money, Akindele said the first thing she did was show the cash to her mother, who advised her to pay her tithe before spending.
“My mom told me to pay my tithe first, and I did. Then I went straight to Yaba market because I didn’t have shoes or good clothes. I changed my wardrobe completely — shoes, bags, everything. The girl who had no shoes yesterday had them today.”
The Jenifa’s Diary star, now one of Nigeria’s most successful filmmakers and box-office record-holders, said her journey is a reminder that consistency, humility, and faith remain key ingredients for success in Nollywood.
