Funke Akindele, the award-winning Nigerian filmmaker, has recalled how she earned her first N1 million in 1999.
In a video shared on her Instagram page, the 48-year-old actress said she made the money after playing the role of Bisi in ‘I Need To Know’, a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored television series.
The show, which aired from 1998 to 2002, followed the life of a young girl navigating issues around adolescence, health, and social values.
The film star was 22 years old during the period, having been born in August 1977.
Akindele revealed that she first showed the cheque to her mother, who advised her to pay her tithe and save.
“I made my first N1 million in 1999. I started my career from 1996, playing waka pass roles, going for auditions and getting a lot of nos,” she said.
“Then I got one big yes to play ‘Bisi’ in ‘I Need To Know’, and that was how I made my first million. We were paid per episode and altogether the money was a lot.
“I was shocked that me, who always jumped okada and trekked a lot, was paid over ₦1 million. I told my mum about the money and she advised me to pay my tithe first and then save.
“I went to Yaba market to buy clothes, shoes, and bags. I didn’t have shoes or good clothes before then, so I changed my wardrobe. The girl that had no shoes yesterday has today. See, I don’t even know which to choose from.”
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Akindele, fondly known as Jenifa, came into the limelight after starring in ‘I Need To Know’.
In 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Jenifa.
She has since become one of the most successful figures in Nollywood, producing multiple box office hits and earning acclaim for her contributions to the Nigerian film industry.
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