Nollywood powerhouse Funke Akindele once again demonstrated why she is one of Nigeria’s most dynamic entertainers at the highly anticipated The Creative Blueprint 2.0. Hosted in Lagos, the annual event brought together actors, filmmakers, content creators, and other emerging talents eager to learn from one of the industry’s most influential figures.
Akindele hosted the event alongside a lineup of notable and influential speakers including Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Jennifer Awirigwe (Financial Jennifer), Tobi Ayeni (MissTechy), Elizabeth Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Ijeoma Balogun, Osas Ighodaro, Bimpe Onakoya Niniola.
Other speakers at the event were Ruth Kadiri Ezerika, Jade Osiberu, Mojibade Sosanya, Toke Makinwa, Amadou Elizabeth (Jarvis), and Ayo Mairo-Ese and many others. Together they delivered masterclasses, mentorship sessions, and practical business knowledge under the theme Empower. Elevate. Earn. focusing on film, fashion, content creation, and branding.
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Addressing a room brimming with talent, Akindele combined humor, storytelling, and hard truths to captivate the audience. “A lot of actors are here, beautiful, fantastic, talented with depth. But there is only one actress that I always shake for. The actress that, if she acts, I will rethink my career,” she joked, keeping attendees laughing and engaged. She even rewarded correct guesses with cash prizes, demonstrating her unique ability to blend mentorship with fun.
Beyond the laughter, her message was clear. Talent alone is not enough. “Discovering yourself is key. Who are you? What does your voice stand for? What is your creative voice? What do you want to be known for?” Akindele emphasized, stressing that self-discovery is a continuous journey requiring reflection and intentional growth.
Sharing insights from her own routine, she highlighted the role of discipline in success. “I woke up at 5:30 today, and my first thought was to go back to sleep. But I got up, drove to the venue, and started checking everything. For the first time, I left everything to my event planner, but I remained intentional about structure and perfection,” she explained, offering attendees a glimpse of the hard work behind her seemingly effortless success.
Akindele urged creatives to focus on one craft before branching out. “It’s good to be multi-talented, but focus on one first. Build it, master it, and then other talents will create opportunities. I started as an actress, then moved into producing, creating content, collaborating in music and dance, but I started with one thing and perfected it,” she said.
Discipline and collaboration were recurring themes. Akindele praised her team’s commitment, citing examples such as Olive who meticulously prepared panel sessions and Pretty Fola who navigated TikTok influencer outreach despite traffic and exhaustion. “Because they are disciplined, they can be relied upon, and they make a difference,” she noted.
On authenticity and standing out in a competitive industry, she stressed. “Stay true to your craft. Be original. Don’t imitate trends because another one will always come. I found my voice as a storyteller. Nigerians see themselves in my stories. They relate to the characters, the romance, the comedy, the emotions. That’s why they love our content. That’s why Nollywood is no longer emerging. It’s expanding.”
She also reminded attendees that professionalism goes beyond craft. Attention to appearance, hygiene, and personal presentation reflects discipline. “Your appearance says a lot about you. You don’t need the most expensive clothes, but you must smell good, comb your hair, and present yourself well. Discipline in the small things reflects discipline in the craft,” she advised.
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The Creative Blueprint 2.0 is more than an event. It is a platform Akindele has cultivated to empower emerging creatives through mentorship, business knowledge, and practical guidance. In her closing remarks, she challenged participants to lift others as they climb. “You have to keep passing the baton of knowledge from one person to another. Women supporting women isn’t just a phrase. It’s real. Open doors for others while you’re still finding your own way. It doesn’t diminish your shine,” she said, leaving attendees motivated to chart sustainable careers in the creative industry.
From lessons in resilience, discipline, and self-discovery to practical insights on collaboration and professional presentation, Akindele’s The Creative Blueprint 2.0 reinforced why she remains a guiding light for Nigeria’s next generation of creatives.
