Nigerian filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has said she is not in competition with anybody remains but focused on telling unique African stories rather than competing with colleagues in the industry.

She made this known at an award event organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board where she was honoured with multiple awards.

Akindele said, “I’m not competing. It’s not a competition. I just want to tell African stories, you know, our own Nigerian stories. I want us to feel accepted, loved.

“I want them to watch our movies, learn, see what we go through, you know, hear our stories directly from a Nigerian, an African. That’s all I want to do. So this year, you will love it. But let’s keep our fingers crossed. I’m not going to spill it”.

While Akindele kept specific details under wraps regarding sequels and upcoming projects, she promised fans that the future releases would not disappoint.

“I don’t want to spill it yet. Let’s keep our fingers crossed, but you will love it. You will love it. I don’t pressure myself, I must say. No, I don’t put pressure on myself. I just keep taking it day at a time, doing my thing.”

Also, the actress attributed her success and professional development to constant learning and critique, noting that these elements have been vital in refining her technique and expanding her creative skills.

“Yes, it says a lot about recreating the story pattern, moving away from the normal thing you do. I listen to constructive criticisms; I really listen to it. I’m a good storyteller, I want to be the best at it.”

“I learn a lot from my competitors, from mentors out there. I watch a lot of movies, I read books, and I listen to stories to grow my craft. It’s very Important, so I must say it took me a lot of hard work on Behind the scenes.”

“I just sat down, like I was supposed to produce A Tribe Called Judah part two, and the spirit of God kept saying you have to move out of it… go and do something different, and here I am with it, so it’s a good one for me,” she said.

Akindele has continued to break box office records, currently she holds the top four spots for the highest-grossing Nollywood films of all time.

She is also the highest-grossing director in Nigerian box office history, with her films earning over ₦7.6 billion as of February 2026.

Behind The Scenes, released in 2025, grossing N2,103,039,706 and still counting.

Everybody Loves Jenifer, released in 2024, grossed N1,882,553,548, and A Tribe Called Judah, released in 2023, grossed N1,408,227,541. (The Guardian)