Award-winning Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has said her goal in the movie industry is not to compete with others but to tell authentic Nigerian and African stories, entertainment sources report.

Akindele made the remarks on Friday during an award presentation organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) at its South-West Zonal Office in Ikoyi Lagos where she was honoured with multiple plaques recognising her commercial and creative achievements.

The acclaimed filmmaker said she sees storytelling as a way to share the lives experiences and culture of Nigerians and Africans on screen, adding that her focus remains on getting stories that resonate with audiences rather than engaging in rivalry with peers. “I’m not competing. It’s not a competition. I just want to tell African stories our own Nigerian stories so that people can feel accepted loved and learn what we go through directly from a Nigerian an African,” she told journalists.

Akindele, whose films have consistently broken box office records in Nigeria, declined to reveal details of upcoming projects but assured fans they would be pleased with what she has planned for 2026. She also said she avoids putting pressure on herself and takes each step in her career one at a time rather than being driven by comparisons with others.

Industry colleagues who attended the event praised her contributions to Nigerian cinema and noted how her work has helped raise the profile of Nollywood both at home and across Africa.