Influencer Once Rejected Funke Akindele’s Paid Promo Offer for ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’

Influencer Once Rejected Funke Akindele’s Paid Promo Offer for ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’

Imagine turning down a paid promotion offer from one of Nollywood’s biggest stars. That is exactly what Funke Akindele said happened when she tried to get a social media influencer to promote her movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa.
The revelation has caught the attention of fans, with many surprised that an influencer would reject an opportunity to promote a major film associated with the popular actress and filmmaker.
Speaking during a panel session at the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend (CANEX WKND), Akindele explained that she had contacted the influencer to propose creating promotional content several times a week for the movie.
She said she waited almost a week before receiving a response that the influencer's management was not interested in the collaboration. Akindele added that she made it clear she was willing to pay for the service, but the influencer eventually stopped responding.
The actress also revealed that months later, she heard claims that she had blocked someone following the disagreement. However, she did not mention the influencer's name.

##Why the story surprised fans
The revelation surprised many people because Akindele is one of Nollywood's biggest stars, with a strong reputation for producing commercially successful films.
Her movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa, went on to generate approximately ₦1.88 billion at the box office, becoming one of West Africa's biggest cinematic successes.
For many fans, the surprising part was that even a filmmaker with such influence and popularity could experience rejection while trying to promote a movie.

##What it means for Nollywood promotion

The incident highlights the growing importance of social media influencers in Nollywood's movie promotion business.
Today, filmmakers rely on influencers, celebrities, online trends and digital campaigns to attract audiences to cinemas. A popular influencer can help a movie reach thousands or even millions of potential viewers.
However, Akindele's experience shows that promotional partnerships are not always guaranteed, even when payment is offered. Influencers and their management teams have their own decisions to make about the brands and projects they support.
Despite the experience, Akindele said she refused to allow the rejection to discourage her. She chose to move forward and concentrate on her work.
Her story is a reminder that success in the entertainment industry requires persistence, good partnerships and the ability to handle rejection.