Funke Akindele Reveals How She Earned Her First ₦1 Million from ‘I Need to Know’
Kehinde Adeleye
Prolific Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has shared the inspiring story of how she earned her first ₦1 million in 1999 after landing the breakout role of Bisi in the popular television series I Need to Know.
In a video posted on her Instagram page on Saturday, Akindele reflected on her early struggles in the film industry, revealing how perseverance eventually paid off.
“I made that around 1999. I started my career from 1996, playing waka-pass roles, 1997 going for auditions, getting a lot of nos,” she recalled. “Then I got one big yes with I Need to Know, and that is how I got my first ₦1 million.”
The actress recounted how she almost lost the role during the pilot shoot after being accused of “overacting.”
“I shot the pilot first and was waiting for a callback, which didn’t come on time. When I finally got called, they said I was overacting and told me to go home, study the script again, and understand the character,” she said.
Determined to improve, Akindele turned to her younger sister for help. “My sister read the script like a teenager, and I immediately picked up the tone. That was how I nailed the role of Bisi,” she revealed.
Speaking on how she spent her first major paycheck, Akindele said she showed the money to her mother, who advised her to pay her tithe first before buying essentials.
“What did I do with one million naira? First, I showed it to my mom. She told me to pay my tithe. Then I went to Yaba to buy new clothes, shoes, and bags. The girl who had no shoes yesterday had today,” she said.
Akindele’s story continues to inspire many young actors who face rejection early in their careers, showing that persistence, humility, and continuous learning can lead to breakthrough success.
