What other Nollywood filmmakers must learn from Funke Akindele — by Bennett Nwankwo

I am asking this question because, for over 6 years now, it feels like she is the only filmmaker whose work keeps paying off consistently at the box office.

This is not to say that other Nigerian filmmakers are not talented or hardworking.

In fact, many Nollywood filmmakers are working very hard and making sacrifices at the cinemas.

Yet, year after year, one name keeps standing out at the box office.

This is why I agreed with Niyi Akinmolayan who said it is not healthy that only one film seems to win big every year.

Some of the comments on my post yesterday said it was jealousy.

No, it is not.

Niyi Akinmolayan pointing this out is not jealousy.

It is a valid industry concern.

Calling it jealousy is an easy way to avoid serious conversation.

This is clearly not just grace.

Here is what I think.

Funke Akindele understands the Nigerian audience better than most of us.

She tells stories people recognise themselves in.

Her characters feel familiar, like people you know in real life.

And She prioritises clarity over complexity.

Her films are simple, but they are not empty.

She makes films that people can easily follow without feeling confused or excluded.

She treats filmmaking as a very serious business, not only as passion.

Her films are planned with marketing, distribution, and audience in mind before production starts.

You have to give that to her.

Many filmmakers finish their films first and start hoping later.

She plans for success even before the camera starts rolling.

And She has, over the years, built a strong and trusted personal brand.

People are not just paying to watch a film, they are paying for a Funke Akindele experience!

Her name already assures entertainment, emotion, and value.

More importantly, She invests heavily in marketing and visibility.

She understands that a good film without publicity is still invisible.

Check Google stats, her films dominate conversations before and after release.

She stays present in the public space.

I also noticed she does not disappear between projects.

She attends conferences, community projects and is also involved in promoting other people’s films.

And more, she listens to audience feedback and adjusts.

She does not confuse criticism with hatred.

She improves with every project, raising her production quality instead of relaxing after success.

She builds franchises, not one-off films and understands timing and cultural relevance.

She releases films when people are ready to watch and talk.

And she controls her creative and business process.

Here is one final truth.

Talent is very common in Nollywood but structure is not.

Hard work is everywhere but strategy is not.

Funke Akindele is not just working hard.

She is working correctly.

That is the uncomfortable truth.

–Nwankwo is a filmmaker based in Lagos