Nigerian filmmaker Funke Akindele has announced her intention to re-contest for political office following her role as the running mate for Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, the PDP governorship candidate for Lagos in the 2023 general elections.
In an interview on Arise TV’s Perspectives show, she discussed her political aspirations and motivations.
Akindele, 46, highlighted her long-standing involvement in filmmaking and youth empowerment through her studio and the Jenifa Foundation.
She expressed a desire to leverage her experience in empowering young talents within a larger political space, aiming to represent and advocate for youth interests effectively.
Despite facing accusations of pursuing political office for personal gain, Akindele emphasized her commitment to addressing real issues faced by Nigerians.
Reflecting on her campaign challenges, she stressed the importance of understanding and tackling deep-rooted problems rather than superficial issues.
She also discussed her upcoming projects in filmmaking, including a sequel to her successful 2023 film ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ and an introspective film titled ‘Finding Me’, which explores themes of self-discovery.
Looking ahead, Akindele plans to venture into biopics and epic movies starting in 2026, continuing to expand her influence in the Nigerian film industry.
“I’ve been producing and working with many people, from crew members to cast. I have a Jenifa Foundation where we help nurture talent, and I bring on board many young talents.”
“We train them in filmmaking; they’re always on set, whether in the hair department, makeup, lights, or camera. It’s something I love doing—empowering young people and nurturing talent.
“Some say Auntie is so strict, but she draws you closer when she’s strict, next to me. I love to uplift people; I can do it even better if I get into a larger space.
“For me, to have been doing it for years, let me try something big. Many young people complain, ‘We don’t have this’ or ‘This is going wrong.’ Let me come in to represent the youth. That is why I wanted to do it.
“And that’s why I got into politics. Yes, I enjoyed every part of it. It was quite challenging, but I enjoyed every part of it. I felt so good representing the young people. It was challenging.”