‘I didn't see Funke going far’ — Nollywood actress apologises for turning down Funke Akindele

• Bunmi Nelson publicly apologised to Funke Akindele over a missed opportunity.

• She admitted she once underestimated how far Akindele's career would go.

• Nelson says she is now back in Nollywood and open to working with Akindele.

Nollywood actress Bunmi Nelson has publicly apologised to actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele over a decision she now regrets, admitting that she failed to recognise Akindele's potential when they first crossed paths in the industry.

Speaking on a podcast with Biola Adebayo on August 21, Nelson opened up about her career, including a period during which she stepped back from acting for a relationship, something she says she now regrets. During the conversation, she used the moment to issue a direct, emotional apology to Akindele.

"I'm sorry, Funke Akindele. I know I messed up, and I just want you to forgive me," she said. "You reached out to me then for what was supposed to be my own life turnaround, but I was so stupid not to have noticed, and I turned you down then, and I don't need to go into details. It's been long. I just want to say I'm sorry and that I'm open to job offers from you, please."

According to Nelson, she and Akindele didn't meet on a film set, but through a mutual friend, a connection she says she has valued ever since, even after turning down the opportunity. "You are someone that I appreciate, and we didn't just meet on set. We met through a close friend of you and I, and so since then I've had a lot of regard and respect for you. So please feel free to call me for jobs. I'm back into the movie industry," she said.

Reflecting further on the missed opportunity, Nelson said she had underestimated Akindele at the time, admitting she never anticipated how far her career would go. "I didn't see Funke going far. That's why in life, don't underestimate anybody. Don't look down on anyone except you're admiring their shoelace," she said. "If I knew Funke would go far like this, I would have held her tight, because I can't even see her back now."

Nelson explained that the missed opportunity dates back to around 2006 or 2007, when the Nigerian film industry was considerably smaller than it is today. 

At the time, she had been providing filming locations for productions and had worked alongside several industry figures, including Akindele, who reportedly encouraged her repeatedly to formally join the industry. Nelson admitted she brushed off the encouragement, partly influenced by rumours she had heard about the Yoruba film industry at the time.

"I was telling her, 'I've heard a lot about the Yoruba industry. They will say you should say, auntie. They will say you should kneel down. Then one person will say you should carry bag,'" she recalled.

Looking back, Nelson said the experience taught her the value of humility, a lesson she says continues to shape how she approaches her career today. Beyond her apology to Akindele, she also extended apologies to fellow industry figures Kunle Afod and Sodiq Adebayo, expressing hope for future opportunities to work with them.

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