Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has shared how she went out of her way to help colleague Funke Akindele secure acting opportunities during the early stages of her career, long before she became one of Nigeria’s most successful filmmakers.
The actress made the revelation during a panel discussion, where she reflected on Funke’s struggles to land roles and the efforts she made to ensure her colleague got opportunities to showcase her talent.
According to Iyabo, Funke had to hustle considerably to get movie roles, prompting her to personally approach and persuade several film producers to consider the actress for their productions.
“She used to hustle a lot to get a role, and I used to fight tooth and nail with a lot of producers just to get her on the movie set, and she's good,” Iyabo recalled.
Reflecting on Funke’s remarkable career progression, Iyabo expressed admiration for how far her colleague has come, describing her as one of the leading female producers in Nigeria.
Funke Akindele has since transitioned from acting into filmmaking and production, building a successful career with commercially successful projects, including A Tribe Called Judah, Everybody Loves Jenifa and Behind the Scenes.
Iyabo’s account offers a glimpse into the relationships and professional support that can shape careers in Nollywood, particularly when upcoming actors are still trying to establish themselves in a competitive industry.
Her revelation has also drawn attention to the importance of having people who recognise one's talent and are willing to advocate for opportunities behind the scenes.
The story of the two actresses highlights a full-circle moment: a relationship that once involved lobbying producers for acting opportunities now connects two established figures in the Nigerian film industry.
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