Nollywood Actress Bunmi Nelson Admits Underestimating Funke Akindele's Career
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has been the recipient of a public apology from her colleague Bunmi Nelson, who admitted to turning down an opportunity to collaborate with Akindele in the early 2000s due to her own underestimation of Akindele's potential.
Bunmi Nelson publicly apologised to Funke Akindele on a podcast with Biola Adebayo on August 21, recounting a missed opportunity that dates back to around 2006 or 2007, when the Nigerian film industry was considerably smaller than it is today.
The Opportunity Missed
Nelson revealed that she and Akindele didn't meet on a film set, but through a mutual friend, a connection she says she has valued ever since, even after turning down the opportunity. "You are someone that I appreciate, and we didn't just meet on set," Nelson said. "We met through a close friend of you and I, and so since then I've had a lot of regard and respect for you."
Underestimating a Star
Nelson admitted she underestimated Akindele at the time, saying she never anticipated how far her career would go. "I didn't see Funke going far," she said. "That's why in life, don't underestimate anybody. Don't look down on anyone except you're admiring their shoelace."
A Lesson Learned
Looking back, Nelson said the experience taught her the value of humility, a lesson she says continues to shape how she approaches her career today. Beyond her apology to Akindele, she also extended apologies to fellow industry figures Kunle Afod and Sodiq Adebayo, expressing hope for future opportunities to work with them. Nelson is now back in the movie industry and open to working with Akindele, saying, "I'm sorry, Funke Akindele. I know I messed up, and I just want you to forgive me. You reached out to me then for what was supposed to be my own life turnaround, but I was so stupid not to have noticed, and I turned you down then, and I don't need to go into details. It's been long. I just want to say I'm sorry and that I'm open to job offers from you, please."
A New Chapter
Nelson's apology comes as a welcome gesture of goodwill in the Nollywood industry, where collaborations and mutual respect are crucial to success. With Nelson back in the industry and open to working with Akindele, fans and industry observers alike are eagerly anticipating the possibilities that may arise from this reconciliation.
Source: Pulse.ng
