Nollywood icon Funke Akindele has disclosed that she learned the art of screenwriting by studying the works of American filmmaker Tyler Perry, whom she considers her role model. Despite lacking formal training in film production, Akindele has become one of Nigeria's most successful movie producers and box office record-breakers.
Learning from Tyler Perry
In a recent interview with Bella Naija, Akindele explained how Perry's movies and series taught her to write compelling stories. 'I didn't go to school to study film. I just watch films. I actually learned to write by watching Tyler Perry's movies and series. That's my role model. I love him so much, and I can't wait to work with him,' she said.
Akindele's filmmaking approach shares striking similarities with Perry. Both are known for creating emotionally charged films featuring strong Black female leads. Her movies 'Your Excellency' and 'A Tribe of Judah' echo Perry's signature style. Additionally, Akindele's comedic character 'Jennifer' mirrors Perry's famous matriarch 'Madea,' whom he portrays himself.
Box Office Dominance
A trained lawyer turned self-taught filmmaker, Akindele has leveraged her acting experience to become Nollywood's biggest box office draw. Her 2025 hit 'Behind The Scenes' grossed ₦2.76 billion, the highest ever for a Nigerian film. In 2023, she became the first filmmaker to surpass ₦1 billion with 'A Tribe Called Judah' (₦1.40 billion). She followed up in 2024 with 'Everybody Loves Jenifa,' which earned ₦1.88 billion.
Reinvention and Evolution
Reflecting on her nearly two-decade career, Akindele credits her sustained relevance to constant reinvention. 'So much has changed because of the experience so far. Every stage I get into, I tell myself reinvention has to occur. I evolve. I get tired of a space quickly. After this success, what is the next thing for me?' she said.
She has absorbed lessons from every project, including the TV series 'Need to Know' and the Yoruba movie ecosystem. Akindele also addressed the controversy around using dance to promote her films, insisting that her work involves far more than dancing and should not be trivialized.
