Nigeria: “I taught myself by watching Tyler Perry” — Funke Akindele

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Award-winning actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has traced her rise in Nollywood back to self-learning, grit, and inspiration drawn from Hollywood mogul Tyler Perry.

In a candid interview with _BellaNaija_, the box office record-holder reflected on her humble beginnings and how watching films, rather than attending film school, shaped her career behind and in front of the camera.

“Looking back at the Funke Akindele in _Jenifa_, I was just young, inexperienced and self-taught when it comes to film production,” she said. “I didn’t go to school to study film. I just watched films

Akindele, who first broke out as Bisi in the popular TV series _I Need To Know_ and later became a household name with _Jenifa’s Diary_, said she developed her storytelling skills by observing sets, working in the Yoruba movie industry, and studying productions she admired.

Her biggest influence, she revealed, is American filmmaker Tyler Perry.  

“I actually learnt to write from watching Tyler Perry movies and series. That’s my role model. I really love him so much. I can’t wait to meet him and work with him,” she said.

Perry, known for building an independent film empire with stories centered on family, faith, and resilience, mirrors the kind of impact-driven storytelling Akindele has come to be known for in Nollywood. From _Jenifa’s Diary_ to blockbuster films like _Omo Ghetto: The Saga_, _Battle on Buka Street_, and _A Tribe Called Judah_, she has consistently centered relatable Nigerian stories with wide appeal.

Akindele described her early self as an underdog who simply wanted to tell good stories, not chase fame.

“Starting in _Jenifa_, I was just there, simply an underdog that didn’t want to be seen. I just wanted to tell good stories,” she recalled. “Today I am here because I keep reinventing myself. I ask myself what the next thing to do is. Don’t be too comfortable in a position.”

That philosophy of constant reinvention has defined the last decade of her career. After starting primarily as an actress, Akindele transitioned into producing, directing, and running her own production outfit. She has since become one of Nollywood’s most bankable names, with multiple films crossing the ₦1 billion mark at the Nigerian box office — a feat no other filmmaker in the country has achieved as consistently.

“I keep collaborating with professionals in the film industry. I don’t believe I know it all. That has helped me over the years. I’m not perfect,” she added.

That humility, she noted, has allowed her to learn from directors, writers, cinematographers, and even younger creatives entering the space. It’s also why her projects often feature a mix of veteran actors and new faces, giving room for the next generation to grow.

Akindele’s reflections have struck a chord with fans online. Many praised her journey from a self-taught actress to one of Africa’s most influential filmmakers, highlighting her commitment to growth and to telling Nigerian stories on her own terms.

In an industry where formal training is often seen as the only path, her story offers a different model: learn by doing, study those ahead of you, and stay open to change. It’s the same model Tyler Perry used to build his studio in Atlanta without waiting for Hollywood’s approval, and it’s the model Akindele has adapted for Lagos.

Her emphasis on storytelling over stardom also stands out. Even at the height of her fame, she continues to speak about film as a tool for connection. 

“I just wanted to tell good stories,” she said — a line that fans say explains why audiences keep returning to her work. Whether it’s comedy, drama, or social commentary, her films are rooted in everyday Nigerian life.

With Nollywood gaining more global attention through streaming platforms and international collaborations, Akindele says she’s focused on what comes next, not what she’s already done.

The industry has changed dramatically since her _Jenifa_ days. Budgets are bigger, audiences are global, and competition is stiffer. But Akindele says the fundamentals remain the same: hard work, learning, and telling stories people can see themselves in.

She has not yet met Tyler Perry, but she says the possibility remains a dream. For now, she’s building her own legacy — one that young filmmakers across Africa are already studying the way she once studied Perry.

From watching movies to make sense of filmmaking, to directing films that millions now watch, Funke Akindele’s journey underscores a simple truth she lives by: don’t get too comfortable. Keep learning. Keep creating. Keep telling the story.