During her address at the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) 2025 event, the acclaimed filmmaker reflected on her professional journey, detailing the inception of the Jenifa brand and her initial experiences in screenwriting.
She shared that a fellow industry professional once encouraged her to further develop the Jenifa brand and even offered financial backing for her endeavors. Funke also discussed the changing dynamics of audience engagement and the shifting landscape of content marketing in Nigeria.
Looking back on her earlier challenges, she highlighted the significant influence of singer D’banj, who inspired her to sustain the Jenifa franchise. At the artist’s anniversary dinner in June 2024, Funke disclosed that D’banj not only motivated her but also provided financial support for her upcoming project.
In 2024, the actress candidly spoke about the difficulties she faced prior to her rise to prominence. While working on her record-setting film, A Tribe Called Judah, she described herself as a “testimony of self-belief,” emphasizing that overcoming obstacles has fortified her determination to uplift others.
Now celebrated as West Africa’s box office queen, Funke’s latest film, Everybody Loves Jenifa, has broken records, earning ₦1.6 billion and establishing itself as the highest-grossing film in the region's history. This achievement surpasses her previous record set by A Tribe Called Judah, which garnered over ₦1.4 billion.