Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has taken fans down memory lane, sharing how she earned and spent her first ₦1 million from her breakout role as Bisi in the iconic 90s TV series I Need to Know.
In a candid video, the award-winning actress opened up about her early struggles, from attending endless auditions to facing rejection after rejection before finally landing the life-changing role.
“I made that around 1999. I started my career from like 1996, playing waka pass roles, 1997 going for auditions, getting a lot of nos”, she said.
Her breakthrough came when she was cast as Bisi, a curious teenager in I Need to Know, a TV series that addressed issues affecting young people at the time.
“Then I got one big yes with I Need to Know and that is how I got my first ₦1 million,” she revealed with a smile.
However, Funke recalled that her excitement nearly turned to heartbreak when she almost lost the role due to overacting during the pilot shoot.
“I almost lost the role ‘Bisi’ in I Need to Know. I acted so well, and I was waiting for the call back, but it didn’t come. Then the producer called me into the office and said, ‘You’re a fantastic actress, but you’re overacting. Go home, read your script, and understand the character very well”, she said.
According to Akindele, it was her younger sister who helped her adjust to the teenage tone required for the role.
“I got home and I was so moody. My younger sister asked what was wrong. I told her, and she said, ‘Let me see the script.’ She started reading, and I heard her speak like a teenager. Immediately, I took in the character and started speaking like her. That was how I got the role.”
Reflecting on how she spent her first major paycheck, the Battle on Buka Street producer said she first showed the money to her mother, who encouraged her to pay her tithe.
“First, I showed it to my mom. She advised me to pay my tithe. Then I entered Yaba because I didn’t have shoes—maybe just two or three. I didn’t have good clothes. I changed my wardrobe: shoes, bags, everything”, she recounted.
Rounding up with gratitude, she added:
“The girl that had no shoes yesterday has today.”
Funke Akindele’s story continues to inspire many young Nigerians who are chasing their dreams in the entertainment industry; a true reminder that persistence, humility, and faith can indeed pay off in due time.