Award-winning Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has opened up about the numerous jobs she did to support herself while studying at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), revealing that a dissatisfied customer once slapped her after receiving what she described as “rubbish” nails.
The actress shared her experience during a recent interview with BellaNaija, where she reflected on her journey to success and the determination that helped shape her career before she became one of Nigeria’s biggest film stars.
According to Akindele, she embraced several side hustles as a student to make ends meet, teaching herself different skills and taking advantage of every opportunity available to earn an income.
One of those ventures was nail-making, a skill she said she learnt simply by observing professionals at work in Yaba, Lagos.
“I learnt by watching people make nails in Yaba,” she recalled.
Rather than enrolling in a formal training programme, Akindele said she carefully watched experienced nail technicians before purchasing the necessary materials and practising on her own.
She explained that she would set up in the corridor of her hostel and invite fellow students to have their nails done.
“I would buy them, stay in the corridor, and ask people to come and get their nails done,” she said.
However, one of her earliest experiences as a nail technician ended on an embarrassing note.
The actress disclosed that one of her customers became so dissatisfied with the outcome that she slapped her.
“When I was at the University of Lagos, I used to make nails. I made nails for a girl one day, and she slapped me because they were rubbish,” she recounted with laughter.
Despite the unpleasant experience, Akindele said she refused to give up and continued exploring other business opportunities while pursuing her education.
She revealed that nail-making was only one of several hustles she engaged in during her university days.
The actress also baked and sold cakes, worked as a make-up artist, handled costume styling and sourced filming locations for movie productions.
According to her, renowned make-up artist Bimpe Onakoya was among her regular customers during that period.
“I was selling cakes. Bimpe Onakoya, the talented make-up artist, was buying cakes from me,” she said.
She added that the relationship eventually exposed her to the beauty industry, where she also learnt make-up techniques by watching experienced professionals at work.
“She would make me up. I learnt from people making hair. I did make-up. I did costuming,” she explained.
Akindele further revealed that she worked with established Nollywood actresses, including Bukky Wright and Iyabo Ojo, by sourcing, preparing and styling costumes for film productions.
“I used to customise for Aunty Bukky Wright. Even Iyabo Ojo then. I would go to Yaba and buy costumes and iron them,” she said.
Beyond costume work, the actress also ventured into location management.
She explained that she would approach homeowners and negotiate permission for filmmakers to use their properties as filming locations.
According to her, she earned commissions from the fees paid by production companies.
“I was a location manager. I would go to houses and knock. If they paid the owner N100,000, I could take ₦30,000 and pay the person ₦70,000,” she revealed.
The actress also admitted that she sold bed spaces within the University of Lagos as another means of earning money.
“I sold bed space in UNILAG so I could survive,” she said.
Reflecting on those experiences, Akindele described herself as someone who has always embraced hard work.
“I am a hustler,” she declared.
“That is why I am firm. Life taught me, and I cannot do otherwise.”
Funke Akindele has since become one of Africa’s most successful filmmakers, earning multiple awards and box office records through productions such as Jenifa’s Diary and the A Tribe Called Judah franchise.
Her latest revelation has resonated with many Nigerians, with fans praising her resilience and determination, describing her story as a reminder that success often comes after years of persistence, sacrifice and a willingness to start from humble beginnings.
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