Funke Akindele Says Tyler Perry Inspired Her Journey Into Filmmaking

Award-winning Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has opened up about her journey to becoming one of Nigeria’s most successful filmmakers, revealing that she taught herself the art of filmmaking by watching movies and drawing inspiration from Hollywood producer and director Tyler Perry.

In an interview with BellaNaija, Akindele reflected on her early days in the entertainment industry, describing herself as a young and inexperienced storyteller whose passion was simply to create compelling stories.

Looking back at the success of Jenifa, the actress said she had no formal training in film production and instead learned through observation, determination and hands-on experience.

Akindele explained that she never attended film school but developed her skills by studying films, working within the Yoruba movie industry and closely observing how productions were made.

She described Tyler Perry as one of her greatest influences, saying his films and television projects helped shape her writing style and creative approach. She also expressed her desire to one day meet and collaborate with the acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker.

The box office record-holder credited her continued success to a willingness to evolve and embrace change rather than becoming comfortable with past achievements.

According to Akindele, constantly challenging herself to improve and explore new creative directions has been key to her longevity in Nollywood.

She also highlighted the importance of collaboration, noting that working with other professionals and remaining open to learning has played a significant role in her growth.

Akindele said humility has been one of the driving forces behind her career, stressing that she does not believe she knows everything and continues to learn from others.

Her reflections have since resonated with fans, many of whom praised her journey from a self-taught filmmaker to one of Nollywood’s biggest box office stars, applauding her commitment to growth, resilience and continuous learning.