I’m Not Competing With Anyone, Funke Akindele Declares After Winning 4 NFVCB Awards

Funke Akindele, the Nigerian actress and filmmaker, has reiterated that she is not in competition with anyone in the movie industry.

Akindele spoke at a recent award presentation organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) in her honour, where she received four plaques for her box-office achievements. The event celebrated the record-breaking success of her latest film ‘Behind the Scenes’, as well as her previous works.

Speaking to journalists and industry colleagues at the ceremony, Akindele emphasised that her focus remains on telling authentic African stories on a global stage. She described the recognition as a source of encouragement to do even better.

When asked about her plans for 2026, she revealed that she is currently working on several projects but feels no pressure to release them within a specific timeline.

“I feel good. I feel blessed. Because I was not expecting this big. I just wanted to drive and pick up the award, according to Uncle Shuaibu. But seeing members of the press, seeing the guild’s representatives. Even the goodwill message from the minister herself, I feel so blessed. I feel loved. Thank you for the pat on the back,” she said.

“I listen to constructive criticism. I am a good storyteller. I want to be the best at it. I learn a lot from competitions and mentors. I was supposed to produce A Tribe Called Judah part two, but the spirit of God said I have to move out of it.

“I am not putting pressure on myself. Do not forget that I am not competing. It is not a competition; I just want to tell African stories, our own Nigerian stories. Learn our movies, see what we go through, directly from Nigerians.”

Akindele’s remarks come weeks after a public exchange with fellow filmmaker Kunle Afolayan regarding film promotion strategies.

Afolayan made comments alluding to Akindele’s relentless promotional efforts, to which she responded by asserting that creators have the freedom to develop their own models for success.

Maintaining her stance, Akindele reiterated that she remains committed to her unique promotional style, adding that she is “believing in God’s plan” for her career.

She stressed that the film industry offers limitless opportunities and that success does not depend on adhering to a single blueprint.

At the NFVCB ceremony, Akindele was honoured with four awards spanning her work from 2020 to the present. According to the board, the awards had been announced earlier, but the filmmaker had not been present to physically receive her plaques until now.

Akindele received the Box Office Champion award for the year 2020 for ‘Omo Ghetto’, the Audience Choice Award (2024/2025) for ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’, Box Office Champion (2024/2025) for ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’, and Box Office Champion (2025/2026) for the latest release ‘Behind The Scenes’.

The event was attended by key figures in the industry, including Tola Akerele, the GM/CEO of the National Theatre, who represented the minister for tourism, culture, and arts; Mahmood Ali-Balogun, AVRS chairman; Dayo Amusa, AGN vice president; Blessing Ebigeson, president of the Association of Movie Producers; Chioma Ude, founder of AFRIFF; Patrick Lee, CEAN representative; and Grace Edwin Okon, the DGN vice president.

Shaibu Husseini, the NFVCB executive director, said the award ceremony was “a statement that excellence, consistency, and professionalism in Nigerian cinema will always be recognised”.

He added that it was a proud moment to celebrate the dedication, vision, and power of Nigerian stories to inspire, connect, and achieve global success.