Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has revealed how an unnamed social media influencer rejected her offer to pay for promotional content for her 2024 blockbuster, Everybody Loves Jenifa.
She recounted the experience during a panel session at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND). The discussion focused on influencer partnerships and the challenges of promoting her film projects.
Akindele said she initially hesitated to approach the influencer. However, she eventually sent a message proposing a content collaboration during the film’s promotional campaign.
According to her, she offered to create content with the influencer several times a week. She then waited several days for a response.
“There was one influencer I reached out to. I sent a message to them that I would like to create content. One, two, three, four times a week. And I didn’t want to send this message. This was during Everybody Loves Jenifa, but I tried,” she said.
The filmmaker added that she was willing to pay for the promotional content. However, the influencer’s management reportedly declined the offer.
“The person was like, ‘I’m sorry, my management, they don’t want me to do this.’ The person was like, ‘Oh, please, I’m paying. I’m paying.’ The person ignored me,” she said.
Akindele also recalled coming across claims that she had blocked someone following the disagreement. She, however, did not identify the influencer or provide further details about the allegation.
Akindele speaks on handling rejection
Despite the experience, the filmmaker said she refused to let the rejection affect her promotional efforts.
“I didn’t let it affect me. I embraced it. I didn’t go and reply. I just said, God, take control. I got back to it,” she said.
She also encouraged people to distinguish constructive criticism from discouragement. Akindele urged them to remain focused on their goals despite negative comments.
Akindele’s box office success
The filmmaker has recorded major box office successes in recent years.
Her 2023 film, Battle on Buka Street, grossed about N640 million. Meanwhile, A Tribe Called Judah became the first Nollywood film to cross the N1 billion mark at the Nigerian box office in January 2024.
Released later that year, Everybody Loves Jenifa grossed approximately N1.88 billion. The film also became the highest-grossing movie in West Africa at the time.
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