Filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has opened up about the personal sacrifices she made to build her brand, revealing she gave up her social life and locked herself away for nearly two years to focus on the Jenifa franchise.

Speaking at WemaIWD Bank’s International Women’s Day event, Akindele disclosed that her dedication to the project led her to take on multiple roles, including writing, producing, directing, and acting, while also supervising every department.

According to her, colleagues criticised her for being a “sadist” and questioned her absence from social events, unaware of her intense focus on building the brand.

The box office queen, emphasised that success didn’t come easily, requiring her to be vulnerable and resilient in the face of criticism.

She said, “We are seeing the billions, we are all saying congratulations, the accolades, Funke is doing a great job. I want to be like Funke, but what it costs me to be sitting here today is a lot. It took my time. When I say ‘my time,’ I mean I didn’t have a life. No party life, no social life.

“I remember locking myself up in Amen Estate for almost two years, just building the Jenifa brand. Writing, producing, directing, playing Jenifer, supervising every department to grow the brand.

“And I remember my colleagues will be so mad at me for not going to people’s parties. What’s wrong with you? She is a sadist, but they didn’t know what I was doing. It took my time, my comfort. Sometimes I want to relax, so I remind myself to stand up. No time to chill, you have a target.

“Then it took vulnerability; I was vulnerable in the sense that when you pour in different things, and you’re all into the production, and some things don’t work out, you sit back and watch them criticise you. I had to take it in, it’s difficult, but it has helped me today to grow”.

Akindele’s perseverance has earned her widespread recognition and accolades, serving as an inspiration to aspiring creatives.