Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has shared how she earned her first N1 million in 1999, thanks to her breakout role as Bisi in the hit TV series I Need to Know.
In a video, the Nollywood star reflected on her early struggles, the hurdles she faced in securing the role, and how she managed the life-changing earnings.
Akindele revealed that her journey began in 1996, taking on small “waka pass” roles while facing repeated rejections at auditions.
“I made that around 1999. I started my career from like 1996, playing waka pass roles, 1997 going for auditions, getting a lot of nos
“Then I got one big yes with ‘I need to know’ and that is how I got my first N1 million,” she said.
She revealed that she almost lost the role on “I Need to Know’, after she was told that she was over acting, but was later encouraged to read her script well.
“I almost lost the role ‘Bisi’ in ‘I need to know’. I shot the pilot of I need to know first and I acted so well and I was waiting for this call back. The call back didn’t come on time. I’m like ah okay.
“Then he just called me into the office. I’m like okay you’re a fantastic actress you’re doing so well but you’re over acting.They told me to go home and read my script, understand the character very well
“I was so worried. I said how am I going to do it now? Then I got home and I was so moody and my younger sister was like sister what’s wrong?
“I said ‘I need to know’. They said I’m not talking like a teenager.
“She said ah because I was not a teenager when I was filming ‘I need to know’. She said ah let me see the script and she held the script. She started reading.
“So I heard mama speak like a teenager and immediately you know I took in the character and I started speaking like mama and that and that was how I got the role.
“So that was how I made my first one million naira. We were paid for an episode but I will not tell you how much but all together ah I was shocked. I was like me that always jump for bike”.
Akindele explained that she initially showed the money to her mother, who suggested she use part of it to pay her tithe. After that, she went to Yaba market to update her wardrobe.
She said …
“What did I do with one million naira? First I showed it to my mom. Of course she knows about it and then mommy advised and said I have to pay my tithe first.
“I paid my tithe then I entered Yaba because I didn’t have shoes. I didn’t have maybe two or three I had there. I didn’t have good clothes…”
Watch video below …
“I made my first 1 Million Naira around 1999 when I got one big Yes with ‘I Need To Know’ after I almost lost the role as Bisi in the series”- Funke Akindele pic.twitter.com/nCSFhPFn9J
— McDreamy (@honeytslim) October 18, 2025
