Nollywood actor Tobi Makinde don finally break silence for all those rumours wey dey fly upandan about him and top actress Funke Akindele. For one interview with BBC News Pidgin, the young actor yarn say nothing spoil between them, and all those stories na just social media gist.
Wetin cause the whole matter na when people begin notice say Funke Akindele no show for Tobi Makinde wedding for December 2025. Since that time, tongues don dey wag, with many people dey talk say the two don fall out. But Tobi come out clear to debunk am.
“I no know about any fallout between me and madam Funke,” Tobi talk for the interview. “Nothing really happen. Our relationship no start for social media, and e no go end for social media.” The actor explain say as person dey grow and move from one level to another, some relationships fit look like say dem lost for transit. But e no mean say quarrel dey.
Tobi Makinde wey gain popularity through Funke Akindele productions like Jenifa’s Diary, talk say social media dey like to write their own script. “Dem go write their own script finish, then dem go dey find people wey go help dem fill the gap,” e yarn. E emphasize say e still respect Funke Akindele well well, and she remain important person for him career journey.
About why Funke no attend him wedding, Tobi explain say that period na when she dey promote her film. “She dey very busy, and we all know say she na very busy person. She takes her work so dear to heart, and e dey understandable,” e add.
The actor also open up about him own journey for Nollywood. E reveal say na him papa, Jimi Makinde, carry am enter the industry when e just seven years old for 1998. “Na my papa introduce me to one of the Nollywood legend Tunji Bamishigbin,” Tobi talk. “Back then, he be one big producer and strong name for Nollywood.”
Tobi yarn about the early struggles wey e face. “One of the challenges wey I face that time na auditions. You go waka go many auditions, and at the end of the day, wetin dem go tell you na, ‘We go get back to you.'” E talk say sometimes actors prefer make producers talk straight say dem no pick you, instead of promise wey no dey happen.
The actor give credit to key people wey help shape him career. “You no fit tell the story of Tobi Makinde without mentioning some key people. My papa gave me that name and started the journey with me. Mr Tunji Bamishigbin was there too. Madam Funke Akindele also played a major role.”
Now, Tobi Makinde dey focus more on film production while still dey act. “Currently, Tobi Makinde don dey do in own productions. I still dey act, but I dey focus more on production now,” e explain. E talk say e just release him first major film as independent producer.
E add say if dem call am for work and e no dey busy, of course e go show up. And if e feel say there is any scene wey e want Funke Akindele inside, e go reach out to her. The whole interview show maturity from the young actor, as e handle the sensitive matter with wisdom.
Fans wey hear the interview don dey react. Many commend Tobi for him intelligent response. One fan write say: “Very well said. This is one of the most intelligent response I’ve seen in recent times to a question that can easily turn chaotic in the industry.” Another talk say: “Correct guy-Your head correct. We came to this world differently, and na differently we go. Life goes on.”
Tobi Makinde still remember him early days with fondness, despite the challenges. E talk say e thank God for him papa, Uncle Tunji Bamishigbin and Funke Akindele wey contribute in big way to him career. The actor position clear: no quarrel dey, just natural progression as careers dey grow.
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