Funke Akindele

Funke Akindele, widely recognized as Jenifa, is a prominent Nigerian filmmaker, actress, director, producer, politician, and realtor. Born on August 24, 1977, she gained initial fame through her role in the sitcom I Need to Know, which aired from 1998 to 2002. Her portrayal in the film Jenifa earned her the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2009, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Akindele continued to captivate audiences by reprising her iconic role in the 2011 sequel, The Return of Jenifa, and the 2015 television series Jenifa's Diary. Her exceptional talent has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the Best Actress in a Comedy award at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards in 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2022, making her the most awarded actress in this category with a total of six wins.

In addition to her acting prowess, Akindele has made a significant impact as a director, becoming the second director in Nigeria to gross over one billion naira at the box office. She holds the record for the highest-grossing director in the Nigerian film industry, with a remarkable total gross exceeding four point seven billion naira.

In the political arena, she was nominated as the running mate for the 2023 Lagos State gubernatorial election by the People's Democratic Party candidate, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran. Furthermore, in December 2024, she was appointed as the National Goodwill Ambassador for Nigeria by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), a role dedicated to promoting HIV prevention and awareness throughout the country.