Funke Akindele Honored with Four Awards by NFVCB

Nigerian actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has been awarded four prestigious recognitions by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), the governing authority responsible for Nigeria's film industry.

The 48-year-old actress received these awards during a ceremony held at the NFVCB headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos, celebrating her exceptional achievements in box office records.

Akindele was awarded the Box Office Champion Award in 2020 for her hit film “Omo Ghetto.” Additionally, she secured the Audience Choice Award and another Box Office Champion Award for her 2024/2025 film “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” as well as another Box Office Champion Award for “Behind The Scenes” in 2025/2026.

The event was attended by influential figures in the industry including representatives from the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Mahmood Ali-Balogun, the Chairperson of the Audio-Visual Rights Society (AVRS), and Chioma Ude, the founder of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). The awards were presented by Tola Akerele, the General Manager and CEO of the National Theatre.

Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director and CEO of NFVCB, noted that while Akindele had been recognized previously for her contributions since 2020, she was unable to attend those events due to her busy schedule.

Mr. Husseini expressed the board's commitment to celebrate professionals who have elevated the industry and achieved considerable success, stating that this award presentation was essential to honor Akindele properly.

After receiving her awards, Akindele voiced her gratitude, emphasizing that her achievements come from hard work, focus, and persistence. She perceived the awards as a wake-up call and felt privileged to have various industry members present to celebrate with her.

She expressed, “Thank you for this honor. God will honor you always. This recognition is a result of many years of hard work and dedication. There were many sleepless nights and moments of sacrifice. It’s a blessing to see people come together to celebrate this moment with me.”

Akindele also urged industry members and the public to foster a positive image of Nollywood and to refrain from criticizing the success of the industry, underscoring its importance to her and many others.

The event featured leading figures in the film sector, including the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Arts, and various notable actors and producers, who extended their congratulations and encouragement to Akindele for her continued success.