Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele, popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa, is a Nigerian actress, filmmaker, producer, director, politician, and entrepreneur who has become a household name in Nollywood. Born on August 24, 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria, she has built an illustrious career spanning over two decades. Renowned for her comedic roles, particularly as Jenifa in the hit series Jenifa’s Diary, Funke has earned critical acclaim, numerous awards, and substantial wealth. As of now, her net worth is around $11 million.

Profile

Category	Details
Full Name	Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele
Date of Birth	August 24, 1977
Place of Birth	Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria
Education	OND in Mass Communication (Moshood Abiola Polytechnic), Law Degree (University of Lagos)
Occupation	Actress, Filmmaker, Producer, Director, Politician, Entrepreneur
Breakthrough Role	Bisi in I Need to Know (1998–2002); Jenifa in Jenifa (2008)
Notable Works	Jenifa’s Diary, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, A Tribe Called Judah, Everybody Loves Jenifa
Box Office Earnings	Over ₦4.7 billion (highest-grossing Nollywood director)
Awards	5 AMVCA Best Actress in a Comedy, 2009 AMAA Best Actress, Oscars voting member (2022)
Net Worth	$11 million (₦18.2 billion)
Income Sources	Film/TV production, endorsements (Dettol, GLO, etc.), YouTube (FAAN TV), streaming (SceneOne TV)
Marital Status	Divorced (Kehinde Oloyede, 2012–2013); Separated (JJC Skillz, 2016–2022)
Children	Twin boys (born 2018)
Assets	Mansion in Amen Estate (₦400M+), properties in Nigeria/UK, cars (Lexus LX570, Bentley Continental GT, etc.)
Business Ventures	Scene One Productions, SceneOne TV, Jenifa Foundation, SOP Records
Political Involvement	PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate, Lagos State (2023)
Social Media	Instagram: 15.7M followers; YouTube (FAAN TV): 1.14M subscribers, 312M views

Early Life and Education

Funke Akindele was born into a middle-class family, the second of three children. Her mother was a medical doctor, and her father was a retired school principal, instilling values of education and discipline. Growing up in Ikorodu, a town rich in Yoruba culture, Funke displayed an early passion for acting, often organizing impromptu plays with siblings and friends. She attended Grace Children’s School in Gbagada, Lagos, where her charisma and stage presence shone in school plays.

Funke pursued an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (formerly Ogun State Polytechnic). Driven by her father’s emphasis on education, she further earned a Law degree from the University of Lagos. While she never practiced law, her academic background sharpened her critical thinking and negotiation skills, which later proved invaluable in her entertainment and business ventures.

Funke Akindele Career

Funke’s acting career began in 1998 with her role as Bisi, a curious secondary school student, in the United Nations Population Fund-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know (1998–2002). Her breakthrough came in 2008 with the Yoruba-language film Jenifa, where she played a village girl navigating urban life. The film’s success led to The Return of Jenifa (2011) and the iconic TV series Jenifa’s Diary (2015–present), which became a cultural phenomenon.

Through her production company, Scene One Productions, Funke has produced and directed blockbuster films, including Omo Ghetto: The Saga (₦636 million), Battle on Buka Street (₦668 million), A Tribe Called Judah (₦1 billion), and Everybody Loves Jenifa (₦1 billion in 19 days). Her directorial debut, Your Excellency (2019), showcased her versatility in political drama. Funke’s films have grossed over ₦4.7 billion, making her the highest-grossing director in Nollywood history. She has also ventured into music, releasing Everybody Loves Christmas (2024) with artists like Falz and D’Banj.

Her accolades include five Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) for Best Actress in a Comedy, the 2009 Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actress, and recognition by The Hollywood Reporter in 2025 as one of the most influential women in international film. Funke was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars) as a voting member in 2022.

Beyond entertainment, Funke ran as the deputy governorship candidate for Lagos State under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023. She also founded the Jenifa Foundation, a non-profit focused on empowering youth with vocational skills.

Funke Akindele Net Worth and Earnings

As of now, Funke Akindele’s net worth is estimated at $11 million (approximately ₦18.2 billion). Her wealth stems from multiple streams:

• Film and TV Production: Scene One Productions has produced high-grossing films and series, with A Tribe Called Judah and Everybody Loves Jenifa each surpassing ₦1 billion at the box office.

• Endorsements: Lucrative deals with brands like Dettol, Keystone Bank, WAW Detergent, Dano Milk, Vitafoam (₦20 million), AMEN Estate, and GLO contribute significantly. Her Instagram posts are valued at $5,000–$10,000 each.

• YouTube and Streaming: Her FAAN TV YouTube channel, with over 1.14 million subscribers and 312 million views, generates approximately $78,400 annually. SceneOne TV, her streaming platform, adds to her revenue.

• Real Estate: Funke owns properties in Lagos, including a seven-bedroom mansion in Amen Estate, and reportedly in the UK.

While exact salaries per project are undisclosed, she reportedly earns substantial fees as one of Nollywood’s highest-paid actresses, with estimates suggesting $35,000 per major role.

Funke Akindele Personal Life

Funke’s personal life has garnered significant attention. She married businessman Kehinde Almaroof Oloyede in 2012, but the marriage ended in divorce in 2013 after 413 days due to irreconcilable differences. In 2016, she married Nigerian rapper and filmmaker Abdulrasheed Bello (JJC Skillz) in a private London ceremony. They welcomed twin boys in December 2018, and Funke became a stepmother to JJC’s children from previous relationships. The couple separated in 2022. In 2020, Funke and JJC faced legal scrutiny for hosting a birthday party during Nigeria’s COVID-19 lockdown, leading to a 14-day community service sentence after pleading guilty.

Funke Akindele Lifestyle and Assets

Funke leads a luxurious lifestyle reflective of her success. She resides in a seven-bedroom mansion in Amen Estate, Lagos, valued at over ₦400 million, featuring modern amenities like porcelain tiles and a Jacuzzi. Her car collection includes a 2021 Lexus LX570 (₦100 million), Bentley Continental GT (₦90 million), Mercedes-AMG G63 (₦130 million), Toyota Prado (₦45 million), and a gifted GAC GS4 SUV (₦30 million). Her real estate portfolio extends to Jenifa Gardens, a luxury estate, and properties in the UK. Funke’s fashion sense, showcased on social media, complements her elite status, with 15.7 million Instagram followers.

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FAQs

What is Funke Akindele’s net worth in 2025?

Her net worth is estimated at $11 million (₦18.2 billion).

What was Funke Akindele’s net worth in 2024?

In 2024, Funke Akindele’s net worth was estimated at approximately $9 million.

What was Funke Akindele’s net worth in 2023?

Her net worth in 2023 was estimated to be around $7.6 million.

What was Funke Akindele’s net worth in 2022?

In 2022, Funke Akindele’s estimated net worth was also placed at $9 million.

What was Funke Akindele’s net worth in 2021?

As of 2021, her net worth was estimated to be about $9 million.

How did Funke Akindele become famous?

She gained fame through her role in I Need to Know (1998–2002) and became a Nollywood icon with Jenifa (2008).

What are Funke Akindele’s highest-grossing films?

Her top films include Everybody Loves Jenifa (₦1 billion+), A Tribe Called Judah (₦1 billion+), Battle on Buka Street (₦668 million), and Omo Ghetto: The Saga (₦636 million).

What endorsement deals does Funke Akindele have?
She has deals with Dettol, Keystone Bank, WAW Detergent, Dano Milk, Vitafoam, AMEN Estate, GLO, and others.

Is Funke Akindele married?

She was married to Kehinde Oloyede (2012–2013) and JJC Skillz (2016–2022). She is currently separated.