Funke Akindele Biography, Background, and Net Worth

Funke Akindele aka Jenifa was born on August 24, 1977 in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. She’s the second of three children. Her mum is a medical doctor and her father is a retired school principal. Funke’s educational journey started at Grace Children’s School in Gbagada, Lagos State. She later did her OND in Mass Communication from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and Law from University of Lagos.

Rise to Stardom

Funke’s acting career started in 1998 when she acted in the popular sitcom “I Need to Know” which ran till 2002. She played the character Bisi, a curious and intelligent teenager which was her first recognition. However it was her role in the 2008 movie “Jenifa” that took her to national recognition. The movie was a huge success and had a sequel “The Return of Jenifa” in 2011 and a TV series “Jenifa’s Diary” which started in 2015. She won Best Actress in a Comedy at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in 2016 and 2017 for her role in “Jenifa’s Diary”

Career Achievements

Aside acting, Funke has made huge impact in film production and direction. She’s the CEO of SceneOne Productions, a production company that produces entertainment content including the acclaimed “Jenifa’s Diary”. In 2020 she co-directed and acted in “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” which was the highest grossing Nigerian movie at the time. Her contribution to the Nigerian film industry has made her one of the most influential in the industry.

Political Ventures

In 2022 she ventured into politics by accepting the nomination as the deputy governorship candidate for Lagos State under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 elections. She said she’s willing to put her acting career on hold to focus on her political ambition.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Funke is involved in several philanthropic activities. In December 2024 she was appointed as the National Goodwill Ambassador for Nigeria by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS). She focuses on promoting HIV prevention and awareness about the condition across the nation.citeturn0search0

Personal Life

Funke’s personal life has been in the spotlight. She was previously married to Kehinde Oloyede in 2012 but the union ended in 2013. In 2016 she married Abdulrasheed Bello aka JJC Skillz. The couple had twin boys in December 2018. But in mid 2022 they announced their separation, citing personal differences.

Net Worth

As of 2024, Funke Akindele’s net worth is $11 million. This is due to her successful acting career, production ventures, brand endorsements and business investments. Her wealth is a reflection of her hardwork and impact on the Nigerian entertainment industry.