Nollywood titan Funke Akindele has dismissed allegations of underpaying skit maker and actor Ijoba Lande, real name Ganiyu Kehinde Morufu, while revealing the emotional toll of recent personal challenges in a heartfelt interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo on April 11, 2025.
Addressing a viral claim by Lande, who alleged on social media that he was paid ₦90,000 for a month’s work on one of Akindele’s projects, the 47-year-old actress clarified, “Do I know this person? No, this person came to act in my movie, got paid, and left. Why are you accusing me of something I didn’t do wrong?” She insisted her production company, Scene One, compensated Lande fairly for his role, urging detractors to verify facts before spreading accusations.
Akindele, whose Everybody Loves Jenifa smashed box office records with over ₦1.5 billion in earnings, also bared her soul about recent hardships that compounded the controversy’s sting. “I lost my mum, my marriage fell apart, I lost in politics, and I have to get back to work,” she shared, referencing her mother’s passing in 2023, her 2022 divorce from JJC Skillz, and her running mate role in the PDP’s unsuccessful Lagos governorship bid.
Raising her two sons alone added to her burdens, pushing her to a breaking point. “My heart was aching,” she admitted, recalling a weeks-long breakdown after her mother’s death. “For the first time, I went live on social media and said, ‘You all should leave me alone.’”
The Lande accusation, which drew 15,000 views on X, reignited debates about fair pay in Nollywood, where actors often report earning as little as ₦20,000 for major roles. Akindele’s fans defended her, citing her history of mentoring stars like Timini Egbuson, while critics argued the industry needs standardized wages.