Funke Akindele: D’banj Backed, Advised Me on ‘Jenifa’ Brand

Nollywood actress and producer Funke Akindele has revealed the significant role singer D’banj played in her journey to stardom.

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While acknowledging that her immense success is ultimately attributed to God, she shared how D’banj played a pivotal role in helping her take a major leap in her career.

Speaking at the 2025 Media Sales Conference organized by the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) in Lagos, Akindele disclosed previously unknown details about her career, emphasizing that her achievements in the film industry are the result of hard work and dedication.

She emphasized that her success in the film industry stemmed from her hard work and dedication.

However, she also highlighted the pivotal role D’banj played in her career, which became a defining moment in her journey.

She said, “Nobody made me a star, only God. I wrote my script, and that was it. The first ‘Jenifa’ was released in 2009, which was the turning point.

“Amidst the buzz, a club owner reached out to host me at his club, and I met D’banj there.

“He asked what I was doing with the ‘Jenifa’ brand. I said, ‘I have moved on. I will do another thing.’ He said, ‘No. You have to milk it. It should not go like that. That’s a brand. Go and write another script.’ He gave me some money, and I went back and continued writing.”

Taking D’banj’s advice, the actress expanded the Jenifa franchise, with the latest installment, Everybody Loves Jenifa, released on December 13, 2024, breaking records.

The franchise began with the first film, Jenifa, in 2008, followed by the feature sequel The Return of Jenifa in 2011. In 2015, the story was reimagined as a television series, Jenifa’s Diary.

The success of the series led to two more sequels: Aiyetoro Town in 2019 and Jenifa on Lockdown in 2021.

Since launching the Jenifa franchise, Funke Akindele has continued to soar. Largely due to its success, she has earned the title of Queen of the Nigerian box office and holds the record as the highest-grossing producer in Nigerian cinema.

Pulse/Oluchi