Funke Akindele Reveals Sacrifices Behind Her ₦2.7 Billion Movie Success

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has opened up about the personal sacrifices she made while working on her latest blockbuster, revealing that months of relentless dedication helped the film gross more than ₦2.7 billion at the box office.

A video of the actress’s interview with BellaNaija resurfaced on social media platform X on Monday, sparking fresh discussions about the level of commitment required to succeed in Nigeria’s film industry.

Speaking during the interview, Akindele attributed the film’s commercial success to hard work, sleepless nights and unwavering focus on her career.

According to her, the achievement came at the cost of her personal well-being.

“For me to get all these achievements, for the last movie to cross ₦2.7 billion, it was a lot of sleepless nights for me. A lot of sacrifice, giving my all. I forget to eat sometimes,” she said.

The award-winning filmmaker disclosed that she put her social life and personal care on hold to concentrate on research, writing and filmmaking.

She said she rarely styled her hair except for major events, avoided parties and social visits, and devoted virtually all her time to work.

“I abandoned myself for work. I don’t even make my hair, except I’m going on the red carpet or for something very important. I don’t attend parties. I don’t go to greet people at home. I put everything into work—research, writing and work. I’m neck-deep into work,” she added.

Akindele, however, noted that she has recently begun paying more attention to her personal well-being, including skincare and self-care routines.

The interview drew mixed reactions from social media users, with many commending the actress for her discipline, resilience and commitment to her craft, while others said her experience underscored the sacrifices often required to achieve success in the entertainment industry.