| Intro | Actress |
| Is | Actor |
| From | Nigeria |
| Type | Film, TV, Stage & Radio |
| Gender | female |
| Birth |
24 August 1976, Ikorodu |
| Age | 44 years |
Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde (popularly known as Funke Akindele, born August 24, 1976 in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria) is a Nigerian actress. She came to limelight after featuring in popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) sponsored sitcom; I Need to Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002. In 2009 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Funke Akindele also plays the lead character in the hit TV show Jenifa’s Diary, alongside Fisayo Ajisola, Falz, Lolo and more. The show is a spin-off from the movie titled Jenifa.
Early life
Akindele was born on August 24, 1976 in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. She is the second of three children (two girls and one boy). Her mother is a medical doctor while her father is a retired school principal.
Education
She obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and got a Law degree from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba.
Career
Funke came to limelight after featuring in popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) sponsored sitcom; I Need to Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002. She played Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student. Funke Akindele’s big break came in 2009 from the movie titled Jenifa. Funke Akindele has over a 100 movies to her credit as actress, writer and producer.
Charity initiative
She runs a non-governmental organisation known as THE JENIFA FOUNDATION, whose aims and objectives involves nurturing talents and acquiring vocational skills.
Endorsements
Funke Akindele has a lot of endorsement deals to her name, the most recently is her being signed as Ambassador to Irokotv.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Africa Movie Academy Award | Best Actress Leading Role | Jenifa | Won |
| 2009 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best actress | Jenifa | Won | |
| 2010 | 2010 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actress Leading role (Yoruba) | Oguni Aiku | Nominated |
| 2012 | 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress | Troj | Won |
| 2012 Nollywood Movies Awards | Best Actress (Indigineous) | Emi Abata | Won | |
| 2012 Best of Nollywood Awards | Best Actress (English) | Married But Living Single | Nominated | |
| Zulu African Film Academy Awards | Best Actress | Maami and The Return Of Jenifa | Won | |
| 2013 | 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards | Best Actress (Leading Role) | Maami | Nominated |
| Best Actress (Indigineous) | Won | |||
| 2014 | 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress (Leading Role) | Agnetta O’mmpa | Won |
| 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress (Comedy) | The Return Of Sheri Koko | Won | |
| ELOY AWARDS | Brand Ambassador of the Year | Omo | Won | |
| 2016 | 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | Best Actress In Comedy Role | Jenifa’s Diary | Won |
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Actress Series | Jenifa’s Diary | Nominated | |
| Naija Fm Awards | Sitcom Of The Year | Jenifa’s Diary | Won | |
| Best Actress In Comedy | Won | |||
| Africa Entertainment Legend Awards | Best Actress of the Year | Won | ||
| 2016 Ghana Movies Awards | Best Actress Africa Collaboration | A Trip To Jamaica | Won |
Marriage
On May 26, 2012 Funke got married to Adeola Kehinde Oloyede. A year later in July 2013, she got divorced citing irreconcilable difference for her separation from Oloyede (now ex-husband). Funke married Nigerian rapper Abdul Rasheed Bello known as JJC Skillz in London in May 2016.
Selected filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Final Whistle | ||
| 2000 | Final Whistle 2 | ||
| 2004 | Atlanta | ||
| 2004 | Atlanta 2 | ||
| 2005 | Agbara Ife | ||
| 2005 | 13th Day: Ojo Ketala | ||
| 2005 | 13th Day: Ojo Ketala 2 | ||
| 2006 | Osuwon Eda | ||
| 2006 | Odun Baku | Moji | |
| 2006 | Kosefowora | ||
| 2006 | Agbefo | ||
| 2006 | Agbefo 2 | ||
| 2007 | Okun Ife Yi | Bimpe | |
| 2007 | Oba Irawo | ||
| 2007 | Maku | ||
| 2007 | Egun | ||
| 2007 | Edunjobi | ||
| 2007 | Edunjobi 2 | ||
| 2007 | Baye Se Nlo | ||
| 2007 | Akandu | ||
| 2008 | Taiwo Taiwo | ||
| 2008 | Taiwo Taiwo 2 | ||
| 2008 | Omo Pupa | ||
| 2008 | Kakai Leku | ||
| 2008 | Jenifa | Jenifa | |
| 2008 | Atanpako Meta | ||
| 2008 | Apoti Orogun | ||
| 2008 | Aje Meta | Omolayo | |
| 2008 | Aje Meta 2 | Omolayo | |
| 2009 | Iro Funfun | ||
| 2009 | Ija Ola | ||
| 2009 | Ija Ola 2 | ||
| 2009 | Farayola | Oyinkansola | |
| 2009 | Anointed Liars | ||
| 2009 | Annointed Liars 2 |
Ojo Aje |
|
| 2011 | Ladies Gang | Samantha | |
| 2011 | Ladies Gang 2 | Samantha | |
| 2011 | Maami | Maami | |
| 2011 | New Horizons | ||
| 2013 | Blood is Money | ||
| 2016 | A Trip to Jamaica |