Funke Akindele has revealed that her blockbuster Everybody Loves Jenifa is the most expensive film she has ever produced, blaming the bill on filming in two countries and building her own sets. The 49-year-old actress made the revelation during an interview with CNN Africa journalist Larry Madowo, which began trending on Monday, 2 November 2026, according to Click Naija and Matrix NG.
Why the film cost so much
“Everybody Loves Jenifa is a very expensive film because we went to Ghana. We filmed in Ghana and Nigeria. We flew all the cast and crew to Ghana. We filmed in Safari Valley Resort. That is a very expensive place to film,” Akindele said, according to Matrix NG. She added that she builds her sets herself rather than shooting in other people’s houses: “I build my set by myself. I don’t go to people’s houses to shoot. I create my set myself. I would rent out a place, or buy a place and start constructing my set there.”
A record-breaking hit
Released in Nigerian cinemas on 13 December 2024, Everybody Loves Jenifa grossed approximately ₦1.88 billion at the box office, becoming one of the country’s highest-grossing films, according to Click Naija and Ghanamma. Directed by Akindele and Tunde Olaoye, the film featured Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Falz, Lateef Adedimeji, Jackie Appiah and Patience Ozokwor. Akindele did not disclose the production budget or streaming revenue, but the scale of the spend underlines how big Nollywood productions have become.
The personal story behind the interview
In the same CNN interview, Akindele opened up about the emotional challenges of her failed marriage and the importance of prioritising personal happiness, according to Click Naija. The interview, and the cost revelation at its heart, has kept her at the centre of Nollywood conversation as she prepares her next December release.
