Funke Akindele Biography, net worth, marriage and children

Funke Akindele has transcended beyond a household name to a movement in the Nollywood industry. She has become a citadel of success not from sheer luck but from hardcore discipline, ghetto courage, and rugged consistency.

The 47-year-old Nollywood actress has proven over time that the hall of fame and popularity is not for the faint of heart. Many better recognize Funke as her comic character "Jenifa," while others she has mentored in the industry call her "Mrs. Bello" or "Aunty Funke."

A filmmaker, producer, and director, in 2021, Funke Akindele made a shocking N468,036,300 from her blockbuster movie "Omoghetto: The Saga". In 2024, Funke made over a N1 billion in just 19 days of releasing "Everybody loves Jenifa" thus becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time in Nigeria, breaking the four-year record of Kemi Adetiba's movie titled 'The Wedding Party—a movie that featured popular names in the Nollywood industry like Sola Sobowale.

Here is Funke Akindele's biography—an all-inclusive profile of this phenomenal actress. We will cover all you need to know, including Funke Akindele's net worth, age, marriage, children, and husband.

Funke Akindele's biography

Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele was born on August 24, 1977 in Ikorodu, Lagos State. The name of her parents are Mr. and Dr. Banjo Akindele.

Funke Akindele is currently 47 years old. She is the second of three children. She attended Grace Children School, Gbagada, before moving on to get her OND from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. Funke Akindele further pursued a law degree from the prestigious University of Lagos.

Funke Akindele's marriage and divorce

Here are details about Funke Akindele's marriage, including her first and second marriage.

Funke's first marriage to Kehinde Oloyede

Despite Funke Akindele's resonating success in the Nollywood industry, her love life has experienced a few bumps and hits. In 2013, the filmmaker, Funke, married her first husband, Kehinde Oloyede. It was a star-studded ceremony. Unfortunately, it ended as fast as it started, exactly 413 days later.

According to the actress/producer, their marriage had ended badly as Kehinde Oloyede let out the break-up bombshell via his Facebook page.

In what Funke described as wanting to die feeling, the actress attested to the fact that she poured herself into her career to get over the pain of her divorce in an interview with Chude Jideonwo.

Funke's second marriage to JJC Skillz

However, in 2016, Funke Akindele found love again. This time in the arms of music executive and singer Abdulrasheed Bello, aka JJC Skillz, a father of three. The Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz got married secretly in a quiet wedding in London. The couple settled back in Nigeria and began to work together.

They co-produced the movie Omoghetto: The Saga, which became an instant hit in cinemas' within the first month of its release. JJC Skillz and Funke Akindele Bello welcomed their twin babies in 2018 and continued their romance story.

After about six years of marriage, Funke hit the rocks as her husband, JJC Skillz, announced to the public that their marriage had ended.

According to JJC Skillz, the actress had asked him to leave her house and refused to speak with him.

He noted that their marriage was beyond repair and is seeking ways for them to co-parent and manage their joint business.

He also said the last two years "have been extremely difficult for us." And that he was announcing so that the public is clear that "we both are pursuing separate lives."

The news of their marriage crashing came after much speculations of hell in their love paradise in April.

According to JJC Skillz's son, Benito, the couple had not slept on the same bed for two years, and it was horrible to live with Funke Akindele.

Mella, Benito's mother and JJC Skillz's baby mama, also hinted at trouble in her baby daddy's marriage to Funke Akindele.

Although JJC Skillz at the time debunked the rumors by putting up a post about missing his wife and children, when news of their separation broke on the internet, Benito attributed it to his comments on his father's failed marriage to Funke Akindele.

Funke Akindele's acting career

Funke Akindele's journey to stardom started with her character in the United Nations-sponsored sitcom "I Need to Know." She played the role of a curious secondary school teenager from 1998 to 2002. The sitcom was created to increase awareness of the issues that teenagers face during puberty.

The "Jenifa" actress in the I Need to Know movie drama pushed her career further by featuring her in other movie productions, especially indigenous movies.

The young and vibrant Funke Akindele struck gold when she starred in her breakthrough comedy-drama, "Jenifer," where she played the character of a local girl attempting to put on a fake appearance of being born with a silver spoon. The hilarious drama received accolades for highlighting the societal issues with false living.

The movie gave birth to her TV series, "Jenifa's Diary," which has now become a household show in Nigeria and the diaspora. "Jenifa's Diary" has featured stars like Lota Chukwu (Kiki), comedian Lolo, Folarin Falana (Falz), and Olayode Juliana (Toyo Baby).

Nigerian actress, Funke Akindele, has recorded many successes in her acting career. In 2018, the award-winning actress was reportedly set to star in a Hollywood production, " Marvel's: Avengers Infinity War.".

The rumour was further strengthened by an IMDb listing her as a cast member. According to reports, Funke Akindele was meant to star as the guard, Dora Milaje, based on information on the IMDb website.

However, speculations died down after Genevieve Nnaji was also cited as a cast member on the movie site. It was later discovered that the IMDb site might have been hacked.

Meanwhile, reports showed that the then Senate President of the National Assembly, Dr Bukola Saraki, had called for the actress's feature in the Marvel Studios movie.

The 47-year-old actress made her debut as a director in 2019 with the movie "Your Excellency.". Setting the bar higher, Funke Akindele co-produced her box office hit, "Omo Ghetto; The Saga." The movie became the highest-grossing Nollywood movie as at 2021 after raking in more than N468 million at the box office in one month, according to the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria.

Funke Akindele, in 2022, directed and produced Battle on Buka Street in December. According to reports, the movie raked $60,000 (N27 million) in gross profits in the United States of America. The movie was distributed by FillmOne and Part Two Media in the United States with support from Amplify Africa.

According to box office reports, Battle on Buka Street had raked in a whopping N135 million in Nigerian and West African Cinemas.

In December 2023, Funke released another movie titled “A Tribe Called Judah”. A Tribe Called Judah set a new record for the highest grossing movie at the Nigerian box office and earned over 1 billion naira. Though Battle on Buka Street was also a success, grossing more that N688 Million, “A Tribe Called Judah" was more successful.

In 2024, Funke Akindele released her song “Everybody Loves Christmas.” The song featured top Nigerian musicians like Falz, Waje, D'Banj, and some cast from “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” her latest movie.

It was in December 2024 that Funke released her latest movie, “Everybody Loves Jenifa", co-directed by herself and Tunde Olaoye and produced by Funke Akindele, Wendy Uwadiae Imasuen, and Olayemi Oshodi under the Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network.

The movie premiered in Lagos on the 8th of December, 2024, and in the United States on the 20th of December, 2024. “Everybody Loves Jenifa” has become more successful than “Battle on Buka Street” and “A tribe Called Judah,” grossing about N500 million in 12 days of release and 1 billion in just 19 days.

Funke Akindele's awards and achievements

In her 25 years of being an actress, movie director and scriptwriter, Funke Akindele has been a recipient of numerous awards and recognition. She bagged an invitation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to join the 2022 membership of Oscar organisers. The actress announced this achievement in a post on Instagram.

Other awards and recognitions received by Funke Akindele include the following:

• In 2009 Funke Akindele won Best Actress Leading Role for her movie "Jenifa" at the Africa Movie Academy Awards and Best Actress at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
• In 2010 she was nominated for Best Actress at Best of Nollywood for her leading role in the Yoruba movie Oguni Aiku.
• By 2012 Funke Akindele had clinched two awards at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Nollywood Movies Awards in the Best Actress category.
• The Nigerian actress and the then-political aspirant has won about 20 awards in her career. She is a three-time winner of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (2014, 2017, and 2020).
• Funke introduced "The Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN)," a film production company involved in various aspects of movie production in 2023.
• On 7th February 2024, Funke was recognized and celebrated by GAC for the success of her movie “A Tribe Called Judah”. She was given a brand new GAC GS4 Luxury SUV to appreciate her contribution to the Nigerian entertainment industry.
• Also, on the 3rd of December 2024, Funke was appointed UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador.

Funke Akindele's endorsement deals

Based on her reputation as one of Nigeria's richest and most talented actresses, Funke Akindele has landed several business deals that have increased her net worth in 2025.

In 2013, Funke reportedly signed a deal worth N20 million with vitafoam. In 2018, the actress got the Dettol and Iroko TV ambassadorial deal. She also signed a deal with keystone bank that same year. And in 2019, she became a WAW ambassador for the detergent company.

On Thursday, 12th November 2020, the "Omoghetto" star actress was announced as Molfix ambassador for the diaper brand. She is also a brand ambassador to Kelloggs Nigeria, a cereal company, and Amen estate influencer.

Funke Akindele's net worth

The award-winning actress Funke Akindele is one of the richest actress in Nigeria, with an estimated net worth of about 11million dollars. Based on her endorsement portfolio with international brands and proceeds from movie sales - Akindele has made a mark with her remarkable acting and impressive financial empire.

Funke Akindele's net worth in 2025 puts her in the same category list as some of Nigeria's richest actresses, such as Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, and others.

She was the former CEO of Scene One movie productions, mentoring young and aspiring actors in the industry. Funke Akindele is a force in the Nigerian movie industry; her venture into the political space confirmed her ability to wear multiple hats whenever the situation requires it.

Funke Akindele's cars and houses

With over 20 million followers on Instagram, the Nollywood actress, Funke, boasts of a fleet of cars and a mansion in Amen Estate. Located in Ibeju, Lekki, the mansion ‘Afin’ as it is called based on its architectural design, is a 7-bed detached mansion that features airy terraces and casement windows.

Funke Akindele purchased her brand new Lexus LX 570 SUV in 2021, worth a range of N16m-N70m according to sell at ease.

She purchased it after the massive success of her movie "Omoghetto: The Saga. She took to Instagram to share the good news with her fans. Akindele owns other luxury cars, including:

• Bentley Continental GT-N20M-N80M
• Lamborghini Aventador-N100M-N250M
• Toyota Prado SUV-N52.8M
• GAC GS4 Luxury SUV (Gift from GAC)

Funke Akindele's controversies

At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a compulsory lockdown was imposed around the globe, Nigeria inclusive, in 2020. During the lockdown period, the government banned gatherings of churches, clubs, and other public locations that encourage individuals in clusters.

During that period, Funke Akindele organized a birthday bash for her beloved husband at the time, JJC Skillz. During the lockdown, the couple hosted a party at their house, which sparked Twitter backlash the following day.

Following the party, the Lagos State government arrested the couple as punishment for defying Lockdown directives.

Nigerian celebrities at the party included singer Naira Marley and other guests.

The Bellos were arraigned before the magistrate court and sentenced to 14 days of community service with a fine of N100,000 each.

The actress had also been called out for being a terrible boss by Olayode Juliana and one staff member identified only as Khassie.

According to the testimony of both parties, Funke Akindele wasn't paying as much as they liked. Khassie said she was a scriptwriter and content creator for Jenifa's Diary and lamented that the actress had repeatedly abused her physically and mentally.

Although most of these claims are alleged, the actress has never come out to endorse the claims or clear the air. Instead, Funke Akindele has focused on building her career and pursuing her goals and ambitions.

Funke Akindele's political ambition

The Nigerian star actress, Funke, was nominated as the Lagos deputy governorship candidate under the umbrella of the People's Democratic Party for the 2023 election, making her one of the celebrities that have ventured into Nigerian politics.

Funke Akindele ran for deputy Governor of Lagos alongside Dr. Azeez Olajide Adediran (Jandor). The Nollywood actress confirmed her political ambition on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in a thread post on Twitter.

According to the mother of two, "I am greatly aware of the cost of the political assignment and I am prepared to make the personal sacrifice of putting my career on hold, to serve. My resolve is that no sacrifice is too much for the good of our people and state."

Interestingly, Funke Akindele released "Battle on Buka Street" while still in the race to become Deputy Governor of Lagos. Akindele's film release spurred varying reactions from fans and critics. While some commended her drive, others concluded that Funke Akindele is treating politics like a "side hustle".