“I didn’t see Funke Akindele going this far; I would have held her tight” – Actress Bunmi Nelson regrets turning down opportunity

• Actress Bunmi Nelson has expressed regret over failing to recognise Funke Akindele’s potential when the filmmaker encouraged her to join the movie industry years ago.
• She said the experience taught her the importance of humility and respecting people regardless of where they currently stand, while apologising to Akindele and other colleagues and seeking another opportunity to work with them.

Nollywood actress Bunmi Nelson has opened up about a missed opportunity with actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele, admitting that she underestimated her potential and failed to take her early invitation into the movie industry seriously.

Nelson, while reflecting on her career journey, warned people against looking down on others, saying nobody can predict how far another person will go in life.

“I didn’t see Funke going far. That’s why in life, don’t underestimate anybody. Don’t look down on anyone except you’re admiring their shoelace.”

She added: “If I knew Funke would go far like this, I would have held her tight because I can’t even see her back now.”

According to Nelson, Akindele had introduced her to veteran filmmaker Odunfa after they met through a mutual friend. At the time, Nelson provided houses as filming locations and had already interacted with several people in the industry.

She recalled that Akindele later approached her for a filming location and repeatedly encouraged her to join the movie industry.

However, Nelson admitted that she did not recognise the opportunity and took Akindele’s calls for granted.

“I missed that big opportunity because Funke was telling me then that, ‘Ah, why don’t you come?’”

Nelson said she became hesitant after hearing stories about the Yoruba movie industry, including claims that newcomers were expected to show excessive respect to senior colleagues.

“I was telling her, ‘I’ve heard a lot about Yoruba industry. They will say you should say auntie. They will say you should kneel down. Then one person say you should carry bag.’”

Looking back, the actress said she has learnt an important lesson about humility and respecting everyone regardless of their current status.

“That is why you need to humble yourself in life. If there’s anything I’ve learned in life now, it’s humility.”

Nelson also apologised to Kunle Afod, Sodiq Adebayo and Funke Akindele, appealing for another opportunity to work with them.

Her admission has since sparked reactions online, with some social media users saying her experience is a reminder not to underestimate people based on their position at a particular time.

Ugoo Monero Muonagolu: That’s destiny. It’s possible that if you had held her tight, she wouldn’t have come this far. From one unnecessary controversy and distraction to another.

Dinma Senza: That’s why you don’t count anyone out, until death. Respect everyone equally

Amaya Kids Learning: In life never look down on anyone oh

Keen Frankinstein: Too late!

Victor Ogbu: Never met her in person but I guess funke go be better person oo