“Don’t Allow Jealousy Burn You” – Funke Akindele Fires Back At Kunle Afolayan

Nollywood actress Funke Akindele has responded to recent comments by filmmaker Kunle Afolayan about movie promotion in the Nigerian movie industry.

Akindele, currently the highest-grossing filmmaker in Nollywood, saw her 2025 film ‘Behind The Scenes’ earn over ₦2.4 billion at the box office.

She is known for actively promoting her films online, often using dance clips, comedy skits, and creative social media content to attract audiences.

Her reaction followed remarks made by Afolayan, who questioned the long-term sustainability of the current marketing trend in Nollywood.

Speaking at the Lagos Business of Film Summit on January 30, Afolayan said the constant pressure to produce entertaining promotional content, especially dance-based videos, can be draining.

He said, “In 2006, I did all the runs, and it was exhausting. I want to make a film if you can guarantee I don’t have to dance to sell that film.

“We need to come up with other strategies. How do we sell without exhausting ourselves?

“I don’t know how the likes of Funke Akindele and others are doing it — creating skits every day, changing costumes all the time. I can’t do it.’

Afolayan also expressed concern about financial returns, arguing that strong cinema numbers do not always translate into significant earnings for producers.

“I will continue to say it: there is no competition. I don’t want ₦2 billion in the cinema. I don’t even want ₦1 billon in the cinema; if I can’t take ₦10 million,” he said.

Reacting in a series of posts on her Instagram story, Funke Akindele pushed back at the idea that her marketing style was making things harder for others.

The actress said no one is responsible for holding back someone else’s success and emphasized that there is room for everyone to grow in the industry.

She encouraged colleagues to develop their own strategies instead of criticizing what others are doing, stressing that the entertainment space is wide enough for different approaches, and jealousy should not play a role in professional growth.

“I’m not the one hindering your progress. Ka rin ka po, yiye nin ye ni, (meaning the more, the merrier)” she wrote.

“If you can’t beat them or join them, create your own path. No allow jealousy burn you. The sky is so big for everybody to fly.’

Akindele further advised filmmakers who find the current promotional style tiring to consider other marketing options, including hiring professionals to manage campaigns.

She maintained that opportunities in the industry are vast and that each person must follow their own path while staying focused on their goals.

“Go ahead and create alternative promotion or marketing strategies for promoting your business or hire a company to handle it.

“You can do it! The opportunities are endless, and everyone has their own path. I’m focused on mine, and I have faith in God’s plan for me,” she added.

KanyiDaily recalls that Funke Akindele recently fired back at a social media user who mocked her for using a simple plastic bag to share food with her guests.