Veteran Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintola has shared an inspiring look into the challenging early years of box-office powerhouse Funke Akindele, emphasizing that her monumental success was built on years of persistence rather than instant breakthrough.

Speaking during a masterclass session hosted by actor Femi Adebayo at his newly launched media hub, Euphoria 360, Akintola addressed aspiring creatives, urging them to look past contemporary glamour and understand the heavy toll of building a sustainable career in the arts.

According to Akintola, Akindele spent extensive years trying to gain a footing within the English-language sector of Nollywood, often finding herself on movie sets without receiving adequate opportunities to showcase her talent.

"She has been in the industry for a long time. She didn’t make it overnight. I remember seeing her on set; she was there for years, struggling. Nobody gave her the chance to shine. One thing she had was persistence; she never gave up," Akintola noted.

The turning point arrived when Akindele transitioned into the Yoruba-language film sector, where she began independently producing and acting. This creative pivot eventually led to the creation of her iconic character Jenifa, which catapulted her into a household name and paved the way for her current status as a leading industry mogul.

Akintola cautioned young talents against harboring illusions of rapid success, stressing that enduring achievements require deep-seated resilience through years of obscurity and rejection.