Nollywood star Funke Akindele has revealed the pivotal role D’banj played in shaping her career, particularly in expanding the Jenifa franchise that catapulted her to stardom.
Speaking at the 2025 Media Sales Conference of the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) in Lagos, Funke emphasized that while her success is ultimately God’s doing, the Nigerian music icon gave her career-defining advice.
D’banj’s Influence on ‘Jenifa’
Recalling their first meeting, Funke shared:
“Nobody made me a star, only God. I wrote my script, and that was it. The first Jenifa was released in 2009, which was the turning point.
Amidst the buzz, a club owner invited me to his club, where I met D’banj.
He asked what I was doing with the Jenifa brand, and I said, ‘I have moved on.’
But he insisted, ‘No, you have to milk it. It should not go like that. That’s a brand. Go and write another script.’
He gave me some money, and I went back and continued writing.”
Taking D’banj’s advice, she expanded Jenifa into a successful franchise, leading to sequels and spin-offs that transformed her into the Queen of the Nigerian box office.
The Jenifa Franchise: From Film to TV Domination
- Jenifa (2008) – The film that introduced the beloved character.
- The Return of Jenifa (2011) – A highly successful sequel.
- Jenifa’s Diary (2015–present) – A hit TV series that has spanned multiple seasons.
- Aiyetoro Town (2019) – A spin-off series.
- Jenifa on Lockdown (2021) – A special instalment reflecting the pandemic era.
- Everybody Loves Jenifa (2024) – The latest record-breaking sequel.
A Box Office Queen
Thanks to the Jenifa franchise, Funke Akindele now holds the record as the highest-grossing producer in Nigerian cinema.
D’banj’s foresight and support helped Funke recognize the potential of Jenifa, proving how a single conversation can change the course of a career.
