Award-winning Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has opened up about the many jobs she took on to support herself while studying at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), revealing that her determination to survive shaped the woman she is today.
Speaking in a recent interview with BellaNaija, Akindele recounted how she taught herself nail-making by watching others at Yaba, but suffered an embarrassing setback when an unhappy customer slapped her over a poorly done nail job.
“When I was in the University of Lagos, I used to make nails. I made nails for a girl one day, and she slapped me because they were rubbish. I learnt from watching people make nails at Yaba. I would buy the materials, stay in the corridor and ask people to come and get their nails done,” she said.
The actress said nail-making was only one of several businesses she engaged in as a student. She revealed that she also baked and sold cakes, worked as a makeup artist, designed costumes, and sourced outfits for actors to earn extra income.
According to her, renowned makeup artist Bimpe Onakoya was one of her regular cake customers, while she also provided costume services for Nollywood stars including Bukky Wright and Iyabo Ojo.
Akindele added that she later ventured into location management, helping film producers secure shooting locations and earning commissions from the arrangements.
She also disclosed that she sold bed spaces to fellow students on campus as another means of making ends meet during her university days.
Describing herself as a natural hustler, the actress said the challenges she faced while at UNILAG built her resilience and continue to influence her work ethic.
“I sold bed space in UNILAG so I could survive. I am a hustler. That is why I am firm. Life taught me, and I cannot do otherwise,” she said.
