Akindele-Bello Olufunke Ayotunde popularly known as Funke Akindele /Jenifa is a Nigerian actress and producer. Funke starred in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002, and in 2009 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

She plays the lead character in the show Jenifa's Diary, for which she was named Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

Akindele was born on August 24, 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. Funke is the second of three children (two girls and one boy). Akindele's mother is a Medical Doctor while her father is a retired School Principal.

Funke obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.

Akindele came into the limelight after starring in the popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002. Funke played Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student. Funke Akindele's big break came in 2008 when she appeared in the movie Jenifa.

In January 2018, there was a controversy when it was reported that Akindele would get her Hollywood debut in Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War as she was listed as a member of the cast on IMDb.

Mainstream Nigerian press reported that Jenifa was set to star in Infinity War as the guard Dora Milaje, citing IMDb. Some weeks later her name was replaced with that of fellow Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji, with Akindele's upload shown to have been a hack.

In February 2018, it was reported that Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr. Bukola Saraki has advised Marvel Studios to feature Akindele in Infinity War.

In July 2016, in an interview Akindele stated she was acting less in the Yoruba film industry at that time because of piracy. Akindele plays the lead character in the ongoing hit TV show Jenifa's Diary, alongside Fisayo Ajisola, Falz, Juliana Olayode, and Aderounmu Adejumoke.

The show is a spin-off from the movie Jenifa. The 2018 comedy film Moms at War stars Akindele and Michelle Dede.

In July 2019, Akindele started a new web series, Aiyetoro Town, a spinoff from her popular TV series, Jenifa’s Diary. She is the CEO of Scene One Film Production.

She made her directorial debut in the 2019 political drama film Your Excellency.

Funke Akindele runs a non-governmental organization known as the Jenifa Foundation, which aims at providing young people with vocational skills.

Endorsements

Funke Akindele has endorsement deals such as her being signed as an Ambassador to Dettol. Funke Akindele has endorsement deals such as her being signed as an Ambassador to Irokotv.

Also in 2018, she was signed as a brand ambassador for Keystone Bank. In November 2019, she signed an endorsement deal with Waw Nigeria, a company that manufactures detergent and bar soaps.