NFVCB Boss Explains Why Funke Akindele Was Recently Honoured
The Executive Director and CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, has explained the reasons behind the board’s recent tribute to Nollywood actress, producer, and director Funke Akindele.
Akindele was celebrated with the presentation of four awards at the NFVCB office in Ikoyi, Lagos on Friday, February 27, 2026, in an event attended by numerous industry stakeholders.
According to Dr Husseini, some of the awards had been announced as far back as 2020, but Akindele had been unable to collect them due to her busy schedule. The board decided to make the presentation memorable, turning it into a celebration of her contributions to Nollywood.
“We had given some awards to Funke during our digital conferences, but she was always unavailable due to travel. When a date was agreed for presentation, we felt it was important to celebrate her properly,” Husseini explained.
He added that even if he were not the Executive Director, he would have organised a proper ceremony to recognise her achievements. “It is important to give people their flowers when they deserve it,” he said.
At the ceremony, Akindele received the following awards:
Box Office Champion (2020) for the film Omo Ghetto
Audience Choice Award (2024/2025) for Everybody Loves Jenifa, presented by Mahmood Ali-Balogun
Box Office Champion (2024/2025) for Everybody Loves Jenifa, presented by Chioma Ude
Box Office Champion (2025/2026) for Behind The Scenes, presented by Mrs Tola Akerele
The event saw the attendance of several industry practitioners, including the GM/CEO of National Theatre, Mrs Tola Akerele; AVRS chairman Mahmood Ali-Balogun; AGN Vice President and actress Dayo Amusa; President of the Association of Movie Producers, Dr Blessing Ebigeson; AFRIFF founder Chioma Ude; CEAN representative Patrick Lee; and DGN Vice President Grace Edwin Okon.
In his remarks, Husseini highlighted Akindele’s influence on Nollywood, saying, “We are here to celebrate a talent who has made this industry not only visible to the world but shown that it is possible to succeed and make a living from it.”
