Lagos: The Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) honoured Funke Akindele with multiple awards on Friday, recognising her achievements in Nollywood.
Akindele received five awards at the NFVCB Hall in Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The event, organised by the Managing Director of NFVCB, Dr Shaibu Husseini, was attended by the Director-General of the National Arts Theatre, Mrs Tola Akerele, who represented the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mrs Hannatu Musawa.
Musawa commended Akindele for her achievements in Nollywood.
“I congratulate my sister, Akindele, whose outstanding consistency over the past four years has rightfully earned her the title of Nigeria’s Box Office Queen.
“Through creativity, discipline, innovation, and a deep understanding of her audience, Akindele has shown that Nigeria’s stories can dominate cinemas, captivate millions, and achieve record box office returns.
“Her achievements are not only personal milestones, but they have also become industry benchmarks, no doubt. Her performance has raised the bar and has inspired a generation of Nigerians all over the world,” she said.
MusawMusawa said Akindele’s performances have promoted greater cultural awareness of Nigeria. Akindele has also shown that Nollywood is not only culturally influential but also economically strategic. As an industry, we remain committed to policies that will expand cinema and enter projects across our African countries.
“Nigeria will also continue to encourage responsible content and create an enabling environment where talent and enterprise can flourish.
“On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture and the Creative Economy, I warmly congratulate Akindele on this exceptional milestone, setting a new benchmark for excellence and consistency in the industry,” she said.
In hiDr Husseini praised Akindele, saying she fully deserved the recognition. Akindele has so many awards because we have been planning to give her since 2020, and then there’s the one she won this year.
“I believe she deserves all the flowers she has, and we need to give those flowers to her now that she needs them most and fresh.
“The award ceremony was not at the instance of Akindele but a secret one planned to her surprise, we only recognise her great works and deservingly present the awards to her,” he said.
Also, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, veteran filmmaker and Managing Director of BrickHouse Media, praised Akindele for raising Nollywood’s international profile. The resilience of innovators like Akindele has made the Nollywood industry grow in leaps and bounds.
“There are challenges here and there, but we will not dwell on them; rather, we will celebrate our achievements in the movie world.
“With God’s favour, our prospects will only improve. I urge everyone to remain united.
“We will have disagreements and all that, but we need to stop tearing the industry down. It’s the only industry we have,” he advised.
An elated Akindele expressed gratitude to the NFVCB and the attendees, reiterating her commitment to continuing to contribute to Nollywood’s growth.
She attributed her success to dedication, hard work and diligence.
Other speakers, including AGN South-West Vice President Dayo Amusa and Ozone Cinemas GM Patrick Lee, praised Akindele for breaking industry barriers. reports that the NFVCB presented Akindele with four awards, while the Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) presented her with one award.
She received the Box Office Champion Award (2020) for Omo Ghetto: The Saga; the Audience Choice Award (2024/2025) and Box Office Champion Award (2024/2025) for Everybody Loves Jenifa; and the Box Office Champion Award (2025/2026) for Behind The Scenes.TAWU presented her with the “Promotion of Indigenous Film Culture in Nigeria” award.
Guests included Dr Blessing Ebigeson, Grace Edwin Okon, Chioma Ude, and other industry practitioners.
