Africa’s highest-grossing filmmaker, Funke Akindele, is set to release another cinema attraction as her latest movie, The Four: No One Fights Alone, hits theatres on December 11.
The film, her eighth major theatrical production, follows four determined women who unite to fight for the future of a young man they deeply love.
Akindele, known for blending relatable cultural experiences with internationally appealing storytelling, says her films are rooted in authentic African experiences while maintaining global production standards.
“I tell the Nigerian or the African stories that people can sit back, relate to, but I make sure it’s a global standard, so that when it cuts across, they can understand it and we get more audience,” she told CNN’s Larry Madowo in Lagos earlier this year.
Box-office success
Akindele, who combines acting, producing, writing and directing, cemented her position as Africa’s most commercially successful filmmaker following the success of Behind the Scenes, which grossed more than ₦2 billion, approximately $1.6 million, in 2025.
The movie, which revolves around a real estate mogul confronting a personal crisis and reconsidering her generosity, became the first Nollywood production to cross the ₦2 billion box-office mark.
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Its availability on Netflix also helped extend its reach to international audiences.
Expressing excitement over the achievement, Akindele described the success as a major recognition of her efforts.
“I’m so happy, it’s a big pat at the back,” she told Madowo.
Nigeria’s film industry, according to UNESCO, ranks second globally in film production volume behind India, producing more than 2,500 movies annually and surpassing Hollywood’s output.
The industry is also a major employment provider, accounting for more than one million jobs.
Akindele has equally made history as the first African filmmaker whose movies topped the Nigerian box office for three consecutive years.
Her 2023 production, A Tribe Called Judah, became the first Nollywood movie to generate ₦1 billion in cinema revenue, exceeding $745,000.
The comedy-drama tells the story of five brothers with different fathers who resort to robbery to save their ailing mother, portrayed by Akindele.
She explained that the screenplay was inspired by real-life experiences and written to portray society without embellishment.
The filmmaker recalled the story of a woman she knew who had seven children with seven different men and was subsequently judged and labelled a prostitute by society.
According to her, such experiences influenced the character and themes explored in the film.
Akindele said authenticity remains central to her storytelling philosophy, stressing that quality and genuine experiences matter more than ambition alone.
The beginning of stardom
Before the commercial successes of Behind the Scenes and A Tribe Called Judah, Akindele’s breakthrough came through Jenifa, released in 2008.
The film chronicles the journey of a village girl who relocates to the city for university education and struggles to adapt to urban life.
The production propelled Akindele into widespread recognition.
She said her motivation for writing the film was to connect with young people and use storytelling to address societal challenges.
Akindele added that she considers filmmaking a platform for correcting social ills, inspiring young people and encouraging them to believe in themselves.
Its sequel, The Return of Jenifa, released in 2011, became her first movie to screen in Nigerian cinemas.
In 2024, she released another instalment, Everybody Loves Jenifa, which she described as her most expensive production at the time.
The film involved extensive production activities in Ghana and Nigeria, including filming at Safari Valley Resorts in Ghana and constructing customised sets in Nigeria.
Despite the significant expenditure, Akindele said the production recovered its investment and performed successfully in cinemas and on streaming platforms.
Distribution remains a major challenge
Despite her achievements, Akindele identified distribution as one of the biggest obstacles confronting African filmmakers.
She argued that increased international partnerships and collaborations would improve access to global markets while exposing filmmakers to better production techniques, technology and distribution opportunities.
The actress, who began her career in 1998 as Bisi in the United Nations Population Fund-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know, has featured in more than 100 films.
She urged emerging filmmakers and screenwriters to develop authentic stories capable of appealing to audiences beyond their immediate cultural environments.
Akindele also encouraged creatives to remain patient, noting that sustainable success requires dedication and consistency.
Legacy and empowerment
Speaking about the legacy she hopes to leave behind, Akindele said she wants to be remembered as a woman who opened doors for others, particularly women and emerging creatives.
She expressed commitment to creating platforms that enable people to showcase their talents, develop their skills and amplify their voices.
The filmmaker said empowering others and breaking barriers remain central to her purpose in the entertainment industry.
CNN
