- The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) officially presented four prestigious awards to Funke Akindele during a celebratory event at its Ikoyi office on February 27, 2026.
- Executive Director Dr. Shaibu Husseini noted that the awards, spanning from 2020 to 2026, were previously pending due to Akindele’s busy production and travel schedule.
- The actress was recognized as a “Box Office Champion” for multiple record-breaking films, including Omo Ghetto, Everybody Loves Jenifa, and her latest project, Behind The Scenes.
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has shed light on the recent high-profile ceremony held to honour Nollywood powerhouse Funke Akindele.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Dr. Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director and CEO of the board, explained that the event was a long-overdue “giving of flowers” to an individual who has redefined the commercial viability of the Nigerian film industry.
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Akindele, often referred to as the “Box Office Queen,” was physically presented with four separate awards that she had won at different intervals over the last six years but was unable to collect due to her demanding schedule.
Dr. Husseini revealed that while some of the awards were announced during digital conferences as far back as 2020, Akindele’s constant travels and production commitments meant they remained at the board’s headquarters.
“Funke is not just someone who will walk in here and I will hand the award to her. We should at least celebrate her,” Husseini stated, emphasizing that her contributions to the industry deserved a memorable presentation.
He added that the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, had intended to present the awards personally but was called away for an emergency meeting with the President.
The ceremony was a star-studded affair, attended by key industry stakeholders including the GM of the National Theatre, Mrs. Tola Akerele; AVRS Chairman, Mahmood Ali-Balogun; and AFRIFF Founder, Chioma Ude. The awards presented highlighted Akindele’s consistent dominance in the cinema space.
She received the 2020 Box Office Champion award for Omo Ghetto, the 2024/2025 Audience Choice and Box Office Champion awards for Everybody Loves Jenifa, and the 2025/2026 Box Office Champion title for her film Behind The Scenes.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Husseini lauded Akindele not just for her talent, but for proving that it is possible to build a highly profitable career within the Nigerian creative sector.
By telling authentic African stories that resonate globally, Akindele has become a beacon for aspiring filmmakers.
The event served as a formal validation of her strategic planning and hard work, reinforcing her status as one of the most influential figures in modern Nollywood history.
