Top 10 Performances by Funke Akindele

From comedic brilliance to heart-wrenching drama, Funke Akindele’s top performances showcase her extraordinary range and why she remains a Nollywood powerhouse.

A still from “A Tribe Called Judah” showing Funke Akindele posing beside a tricycle.

In “A Tribe Called Judah,” Nollywood’s highest-grossing film to date, Akindele stars as Jedidah Judah, a single mother of five sons whose fathers come from five different Nigerian tribes.

Photo from Funke Akindele Network TV website.

The devil works hard, but Funke Akindele works harder. This week, the multi-award-winning Nollywood superstar announced the release of two films this December: A Tribe Called Judah Part 2, the sequel to the record-breaking 2023 film that became the highest-grossing Nollywood movie ever, and Everybody Loves Jenifa, another installment in the beloved Jenifa franchise, which has kept audiences entertained for well over decade.

Akindele, both actress and comedian, has accumulated a string of accolades throughout her prolific career, including multiple Best Actress in a Comedy wins at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA). Before A Tribe Called Judah smashed box-office records, she starred as Bisi in popular sitcom I Need to Know,which aired in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. She also released Jenifa in 2008, the movie with which she won Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2009 Africa Movie Academy Awards.

As fans eagerly await the releases, which promise a double dose of holiday fun, here are 10 of her standout performances that remind us why she’s one of Nollywood’s finest.

‘Jenifa’ (2008)

Arguably Akindele’s most iconic film, Jenifa not only launched her into national fame, but also left an indelible mark on Nigerian pop culture. The film tells the story of Suliat, a naive girl from the village, who moves to Lagos for higher education, but quickly transforms herself into the loud, fashionable, and out-of-place Jenifa in an attempt to fit in with the city’s elite. Akindele’s exaggerated accent, comedic timing, and humorous missteps in the role make Jenifa a timeless comedy. The film’s popularity later led to the creation of the spin-off TV series Jenifa’s Diary, where she reprised her role and solidified her position as one of Nollywood’s biggest stars.

‘Taiwo Taiwo’ (2008)

Lighthearted or intense, Akindele can handle it all. Before her mainstream breakthrough, she played one-half of a notorious criminal duo alongside Nollywood star Femi Adebayo in Taiwo Taiwo. The film follows a married couple who lead double lives. Together, they orchestrate high-stakes robberies, pull off elaborate heists, and terrorize the streets. T-girl (Akindele) was a proper menace, a madness of a character that could have only been brought to life so supremely by Akindele.

‘Apaadi’ (2009)

Akindele both produced and starred in Apaadi, where she takes on the role of the King’s niece in a story centered around a reckless crown prince whose actions bring a curse upon the kingdom. While the plot focuses on the royal family’s trials, Akindele sparkles as she brings a mix of restraint and command to her character, finely capturing the tension of navigating a perilous quest to save the kingdom.

‘Omo Ghetto’ (2010)

Another Nollywood sensation from Akindele, Omo Ghetto tells the story of twin sisters with vastly different lives – one polished and affluent, living in an upscale Lagos neighborhood, and the other, a street-smart gangster surviving in the ghetto. Akindele masterfully plays both Ayomide and Lefty, transitioning between the two contrasting characters. The film’s success led to the 2020 blockbuster sequel Omo Ghetto: The Saga.

‘Maami’ (2011)

A film that strongly features the Yoruba language and culture, Maami stars Akindele as the titular character, a poor but fiercely devoted single mother who will do anything to provide for her son. Maami is strong, loving, and resilient and makes the sacrifices many mothers make to secure a better future for their children. Directed by Nollywood veteran Tunde Kelani and based on the novel by Femi Osofisan, the film shows Akindele’s ability to dive into more dramatic, emotionally charged roles. Her performance stands out for its emotional depth and fine portrayal of a mother’s love and struggles, proving her versatility beyond her typical comedic roles.

‘A Wish’ (2012)

Akindele stars alongside industry veteran Patience ‘Mama G’ Ozokwor, comedian, media personality and actress Helen Paul, and comedian and actor Ime Bishop Umoh, in this heartfelt comedy-drama, and still manages to shine. She plays Clara, a petty trader diagnosed with terminal cancer, whose sole wish is to see her daughter succeed academically. The film follows Clara’s emotional journey as she fights the ticking clock to secure her daughter’s future.

‘The Fighter’ (2013)

In this biting, ridiculous, laugh-out-loud comedy, Akindele plays Monica, a short-tempered woman whose fiery nature keeps her entire community on edge. Monica is known for her unpredictable and intimidating behavior, and her reputation as a troublemaker leaves everyone in fear. Akindele brilliantly embodies the dominant and volatile character, merging her signature comedic timing with moments of intensity.

‘Moms at War’ (2018)

Probably my favorite Funke Akindele film, Moms at War also stars another favorite, Omoni Oboli. The film follows the story of two rival mothers – Ebubechukwu, played by Oboli, who is uptight and snobbish, and Olaide, played by Akindele, who is practical and down-to-Earth. Despite living in the same upscale neighborhood, the two clash over their vastly different personalities and backgrounds. Ebubechukwu sees Olaide as a johnny just come (newcomer) who stumbled into wealth and is much beneath her. Their rivalry reaches a boiling point when their children compete for a prestigious school scholarship, leading to plenty of comedic and dramatic moments. The film explores motherhood, rivalry, and eventually, the power of shared experiences, as the two women bond over their struggles.

‘Battle on Buka Street’ (2022)

Akindele stars alongside some of Nollywood’s finest — Chioma Chukwuka, Mercy Johnson, Nkem Owoh, Kelvin Ikeduba and Bimbo Ademoye — in this film. She plays Yejide, a woman in a long-standing feud with her half-sister Awele, who is played by Johnson. The rivalry centers around their competing food joints on the same street, with both women resorting to sabotage and manipulation to outdo each other. The blend of comedic and dramatic confrontations allows Akindele to show off both her dramatic and comedic prowess.

‘A Tribe Called Judah’ (2023)

In this film, Akindele stars as Jedidah Judah, a single mother of five sons from different fathers who come from different Nigerian tribes. Faced with a personal health crisis, Jedidah fights to keep her fractured family together. It’s a moving story of sibling rivalry, family loyalty, and drama, touching on themes of poverty and crime within Nigerian society. It also delivers action-packed scenes and complex storytelling that stays with you long after the credits roll. While Akindele doesn’t dominate screen time as much as the actors portraying her sons, her performance is nothing short of scene-stealing. She flexes her acting chops as both an undaunted, determined mother and a nurturing figure, reminding us why she remains a force in Nollywood.

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