Funke Akindele Says She Is Focused on Storytelling, Not Competition in Nollywood

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele said she is not in competition with other filmmakers, stressing that her focus is on telling Nigerian and African stories with honesty.

Akindele spoke at an event hosted by the National Film and Video Censors Board, where she reflected on her growth as a storyteller and the direction of her work.

She said her motivation is to produce films that help audiences feel seen and understood while presenting local experiences in a way global viewers can follow directly from African voices.

Akindele said she does not pressure herself with rivalry and prefers to build her career one project at a time. She told participants she wants viewers to keep expecting strong work from her in 2026, though she declined to reveal details of upcoming releases.

She said: “I’m not competing. It’s not a competition. I just want to tell African stories, you know, our own Nigerian stories.”

She added that she values acceptance, emotional connection and cultural clarity in her films, saying she wants people to learn from stories that come from real local contexts.

On professional growth, Akindele said she listens to constructive criticism and studies both peers and mentors to improve her craft.

She said she watches films, reads books and learns from different storytelling traditions as part of her development process.

Akindele also spoke about making creative shifts even when a sequel appears commercially safer. She said she had considered producing A Tribe Called Judah Part Two, but decided to pursue a different direction after what she described as spiritual prompting.

That decision, she said, required discipline and behind-the-scenes work, but it helped her move beyond familiar patterns.

Industry observers at the event said Akindele’s comments reflect a wider shift among top Nollywood creators toward long-term brand building, stronger writing and audience trust rather than headline rivalry.

Her remarks also align with current calls within the sector for more original scripts, deeper character development and stories that travel well without losing local authenticity.

For Akindele, the central message remained clear: growth in Nollywood comes from consistency, humility and the willingness to keep learning, not from competing for noise.