“It wasn’t easy getting to where I am today,” Funke Akindele Announces Amid Colleagues’ Criticism of Marketing Strategy

Summary: Filmmaker Funke Akindele has stated that it was not easy getting to where she is today as a woman in film, emphasising that hard work, dedication, and perseverance paved her way. The statement comes days after colleagues Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Mo Abudu publicly stated they would not dance to promote their films, following filmmaker Kunle Afolayan’s controversial remarks about her promotional methods.

Filmmaker Funke Akindele has stated that it was not easy getting to where she is today as a woman in film amid growing criticism of her movie marketing strategy. The block buster maestro made this known on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, on her social media platform. 

“As a woman in film, it wasn’t easy getting to where I am today,”  Funke wrote. “It took hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Staying true to my craft, embracing my originality, and carving a niche for myself paved the way.”

The statement comes amid ongoing debate about her dance-driven marketing strategy, with several colleagues publicly stating they would not use similar promotional methods.

The debate began when filmmaker Kunle Afolayan questioned her dance-driven promotional methods and stated he was not interested in making N1 billion or N2 billion if he could not personally receive N10 million from such projects. 

Media mogul Mo Abudu had also expressed a similar sentiment, sharing at the Lagos Business of Film Summit that dancing to promote films is not her forte. Recently, Actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde joined the train, saying during an interview on TVC Entertainment that she found dancing to promote movies “unprofessional.”

Despite growing criticism, fans have rallied behind award-winning film producer Funke Akindele, stating they find her marketing strategies relatable, as her latest blockbuster, Behind The Scenes, surpasses ₦2.5 billion in earnings.