Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, is a Nigerian filmmaker, actress, director, producer and politician. Akindele starred in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002 and in 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her role in Jenifa, which brought her to fame. Akindele reprised the role in 2011 sequel The Return of Jenifa and 2015 soft reboot television series titled Jenifa's Diary, for which she was named the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 and 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Akindele won the same award in 2020 and 2022, making it her fifth win for the Best Actress in a Comedy category. Akindele is the most nominated actress/filmmaker at the AMVCA and holds the record for most wins for an actress with six. She is the second director to gross over a billion naira at box office and is currently the Highest-Grossing Director in Nigerian Box Office with a total gross of over ₦2.9 billion.
Jenifa is a 2008 Nigerian comedy-drama film starring Funke Akindele. The film received four nominations at the 2009 Africa Movie Academy Awards which includes Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Original Soundtrack and Best Nigerian Film. Akindele won Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role in this film.
The Nigerian Entertainment Awards were established in New York City in January 2006. The awards recognize the contributions of African entertainers with a special focus on Nigerians.
The 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards was the 7th edition of the ceremony. The event was held on September 2, 2012 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York City. The event was hosted by Funke Akindele and Ayo Makun. Winners included Wizkid, Davido, Don Jazzy and Tineh Tempah.
Maami is a 2011 Nigerian drama film produced and directed by Tunde Kelani. It is based on a novel of the same name, written by Femi Osofisan, and adapted to screen by Tunde Babalola. It stars Funke Akindele as Maami, along with Wole Ojo and Olumide Bakare. Though the film was a commercial failure, it was generally met with positive critical reviews.
Married but Living Single is a 2012 Nigerian romantic drama film, directed by Tunde Olaoye and starring Funke Akindele, Joseph Benjamin, Joke Silva, Tina Mba, Kiki Omeili and Femi Brainard. The film was inspired by a book of the same name by Pastor Femi Faseru of KICC Lagos and tells the story of Kate, a career driven woman who's married to an entrepreneur, Mike. Mike is diagnosed with lung cancer; Kate has to choose to either take a break from work to be with her husband while he recuperates from his surgery or stay dedicated to her company which now stands a big chance of winning an important contract with a big telecommunication company.
Robert Peters sometimes credited as Roberts O. Peters is a Nigerian film producer, director, cinematographer, actor, and occasional voice-over artist. He is best known for directing the 2014 Nollywood breakout movie 30 Days in Atlanta, as well as the movies Shades of Attractions (2015), Boxing Day (2016) and A trip to Jamaica (2016) which featured: Ayo Makun, Ramsey Nouah, Richard Mofe Damijo, Vivica Fox, Dan Davies, Lynn Whitfield, Eric Anthony Roberts, Paul Campbell, Funke Akindele, Karlie Redd, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Desmond Elliott, Rasaaq Adoti, and Chet Anekwe amongst others.
Jenifa's Diary is a Nigerian television comedy series, created by Funke Akindele. The series is part of the Jenifa franchise, based on a naive and funny character of the same name. Jenifa's Diary has 28 seasons and as of 2017 was ongoing.
A Trip to Jamaica is a 2016 Nigerian comedy drama film directed by Robert Peters starring Ayo Makun, Funke Akindele, Nse Ikpe Etim and Dan Davies (actor). The film tells a story about the adventures of a newly engaged couple in their relatives residence outside Nigeria, and how the secrets of their host led to the eventual breakup of their union amidst the culture shock of the new country and living with upper-class citizens. Though a huge box office success, breaking the record set by 30 Days in Atlanta for the highest-grossing Nigerian film, it received mainly mixed to negative reviews from critics.
Juliana Oluwatobiloba Olayode, also known as Toyo Baby, is a Nigerian actress and sexual purity activist.
Paschaline Alex Okoli is a Nigerian actress who played Cordelia in the sitcom Jenifa's Diary. She was born on the 3rd of July.
Adejumoke Aderounmu 26 March 1984 – 6 or 7 April 2024) was a Nigerian actress. She is best known for playing roles like Esther And Kelechi in the popular Nollywood TV series Jenifa's Diary and Industreet, Jummy Adams in Nollywood's film Alakada 2 (2013) alongside Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, Odunlade Adekola, Linda Ejiofor, Falz, Juliana Olayode, and Omotunde Adebowale David (Lolo).
Ugwu Lotachukwu Jacinta Obianuju Amelia is a Nigerian actress popularly known as Lota Chukwu. She gained popularity after starring in popular Nigerian television series Jenifa's Diary, alongside Funke Akindele, Juliana Olayode and Falz, in which she plays the role of "Kiki", a friend of the lead character, Jenifa. She is also a yoga fitness enthusiast.
Your Excellency is a 2019 Nigerian political satire drama comedy film written and directed by Funke Akindele on her directorial debut. The film stars Akin Lewis and Funke Akindele in the lead roles. The film had its theatrical release across 50 theatres on 13 December 2019 and opened to positive reviews from critics. The film became a box office success and became the fourth highest grossing Nigerian film for the year 2019.
Omo Ghetto: The Saga also known as Omo Ghetto 2 is a 2020 Nigerian gangster comedy film co-directed by Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz. The film stars Funke Akindele, Chioma Akpota, Nancy Isime, Eniola Badmus, Bimbo Thomas, Deyemi Okanlawon and Mercy Aigbe in the lead roles. This was the second film in the Omo Ghetto franchise and it was also the sequel to the 2010 trilogy film Omo Ghetto. The film had its theatrical release coinciding with Christmas on 25 December 2020 and was opened to extremely positive reviews from critics. The film became a box office success and surpassed Fate of Alakada as the highest grossing Nigerian film for the year 2020. As of 26 January 2021, when the film grossed ₦468 million at the box office it surpassed the record of 2016 film The Wedding Party to become the highest ever grossing film in the Nigerian film industry.
Nosa Rex Okunzuwa, known by his stage name Nosa Rex and also as Baba Rex, is a Nigerian film and TV actor and film producer.
Battle on Buka Street is a 2022 Nigerian comedy drama film directed by Funke Akindele and Tobi Makinde. The film is jointly produced as a collaboration between Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN) and FilmOne Studios. The film had its theatrical release on 16 December 2022 and opened to extremely positive reviews from critics. The film became a huge box office success.
A Tribe Called Judah is a 2023 Nigerian film produced by Funke Akindele and starring Funke Akindele, Timini Egbuson, Jide Kene Achufusi, Uzee Usman, Tobi Makinde Olumide Oworu, Genoveva Umeh, Nse Ikpe Etim, Juliana Olayode, Uzor Arukwe, Fathia Balogun, Yvonne Jegede and many others. The film was released to cinemas nationwide on December 15, 2023. Akindele has said the film is dedicated to her late mother and draws partially from her mother's life.
Tobi Makinde is Nigerian actor and filmmaker. He became popular with his role as 'Timini' in the Nigerian TV series Jenifa's Diary. He co-directed one of the highest Nollywood grossing movie Battle on Buka Street, alongside Funke Akindele. In 2024, he received critical and audience acclaim for his portrayal of 'Shina Judah', a hoodlum in the blockbluster A Tribe Called Judah.
