Popular actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed that she earned her first N1 million in 1999 after landing her breakthrough role as Bisi in the hit TV series I Need to Know.

In a video shared online, Akindele reflected on her humble beginnings, her early struggles in Nollywood, and the life-changing experience of finally getting her big break.

“I made that around 1999. I started my career from like 1996, playing waka pass roles, 1997 going for auditions, getting a lot of ‘nos’. Then I got one big yes with I Need to Know and that is how I got my first N1 million,” she said.

The actress recalled almost losing the role after being told she was “overacting,” but she took advice to study her script better and adjust her performance.

“I almost lost the role ‘Bisi’ in I Need to Know. I acted so well in the pilot and waited for a callback that didn’t come on time. When I finally met the director, he said I was overacting and told me to go home and understand the character better,” Funke Akindele explained.

She said her younger sister later helped her find the right tone for the teenage role.

“She picked up the script and started reading like a teenager. I heard her and immediately took in the character — that’s how I got the role.”

Funke Akindele revealed that her total pay from the series added up to about N1 million, which felt surreal at the time.

“I was shocked. I was like, me that always jumps on bikes!” she said with a laugh.

On how she spent the money, Funke Akindele shared that she first showed it to her mother, who encouraged her to pay her tithe before updating her wardrobe.

“What did I do with one million naira? First, I showed it to my mom. She told me to pay my tithe, which I did. Then I went to Yaba market because I didn’t have shoes or good clothes,” she recounted.

The Jenifa’s Diary star has since become one of Nollywood’s most successful actresses, producers, and directors, with several box-office hits to her name.