Funke Akindele Bello (Jenifa) is a popular Nigerian actress, a script writer and a movie producer known for her famous TV series, Jenifa’s Diary.
She was born on August 24, 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. She is the second of three children (two girls and one boy) to her mother who is a medical doctor and her father a retired school principal.
Educational Background
Funke had her elementary and secondary education in Lagos state.
She later obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba.
Her Career
Akindele made a breakthrough in her career after starring in popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom ‘I Need To Know’, which ran from 1998 to 2002 where she played the role of Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student.
Funke Akindele’s big break came in 2009 when she appeared in the movie Jenifa.
Funke Akindele has starred in over 100 movies to her credit including the now popular Jenifa’s Diary alongside Fisayo Ajisola, Falz, Juliana Olayode, Aderounmu Adejumoke, Lolo and more. The show is a spin-off from the movie titled: Jenifa.
Jenifa’s Diary touches on burning issues in the society of today.
Funke is versatile, creative and highly talented Nollywood actress known for her intriguing roles in movies. She is hilarious and gifted in adding humour to most movies.
Charity initiative
Funke Akindele currently runs a non-governmental organization known as the “Jenifa Foundation”, which aims at removing young able bodied talented youths from the street and nurture them with vocational skills.
Endorsements
Funke Akindele has a lot of endorsement deals with giant companies, most recent is her being signed as Ambassador to Irokotv.
Awards
The highly talented Nollywood star has many awards to her name. They include:
• Best Actress in a leading role at The Africa Movie Academy Awards.
• 2009 Best Actress at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards.
• 2010 Best Actress in a leading role (Yoruba) at the Best of Nollywood Awards.
• 2012 Best Actress at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards.
• 2012 Best Actress at Zulu African Film Academy Awards
• 2013 Best Actress (Indigenous) at the Nollywood Movie Awards.
• 2014 Best Actress in leading role at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards.
• 2014 Best Actress (Comedy) at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
• Brand Ambassador of the year at ELOY Awards.
• 2016 Best Actress in Comedy role at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
• Best Actress of the year at the African Entertainment Legend Awards.
• 2026 Best Actress Africa Collaboration at the Ghana Movie Awards.
• 2017 Best TV Series at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
• 2017 Best Lead Actress at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards.
In 2009, she won Funke Akindele plays the lead character in the ongoing hit TV show Jenifa’s Diary, ‘Personal life’.
Her Personal Life
On May 26, 2012, Akindele married Adeola Kehinde Oloyede. Citing incompatibility in their union, the couple divorced in July, 2013.
Akindele re-married Nigerian rapper, Abdul Rasheed Bello, known as JJC Skillz, in London in the month of May, 2016.
During the Covid 19 Pandemic lockdown in Nigeria, Funke and her husband were convicted by a Lagos Court for violating the lockdown rules and were given 14 days community labour.
Her Net Worth:
Funke Adindele has remained a household name in the Nigerian movie industry, rated one of the richest and most influential with a net worth of about $3 million dollars.