Speaking at the 2025 Media Sales Conference organized by the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) in Lagos, Akindele reflected on her journey to stardom, emphasizing that no one but God made her a household name.

However, she acknowledged the significant impact of veteran singer D’banj on her career. Recalling a pivotal moment in her rise to fame, she shared how a chance encounter with the music icon changed her perspective on branding and business.

"Nobody made me a star—only God. I wrote my script, and that was it. The first ‘Jenifa’ was released in 2009, and that was the turning point. Amidst the buzz, a club owner invited me to an event, and I met D’banj there. He asked what I was doing with the ‘Jenifa’ brand. I said, ‘I have moved on to other projects.’ But he insisted, ‘No! You have to milk it. That’s a brand—don’t let it go.’ He even supported me financially, and I went back to work on another script."

Akindele first gained recognition for her role in the popular TV series I Need to Know (1998–2002). However, her big break came in 2008 with the release of her blockbuster movie Jenifa, which became a cultural phenomenon.

Today, Funke Akindele holds the record as the highest-grossing film producer in Nigerian cinema, proving that talent, resilience, and strategic advice can pave the way to greatness.