The Lagos State Government plans to collaborate with Nollywood actress Funke Akindele on a new movie and reality TV show. Akindele met with the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson Awoyinka, on May 9, 2024, to seek support for initiatives aimed at discovering and nurturing new talent in the creative industry.
Akindele emphasized that her goals align with the state’s efforts to develop the industry, making this collaboration beneficial for identifying and mentoring future stars.
Commissioner Awoyinka highlighted the ministry’s partnerships with Ebonylife Academy, Africa Movie Academy, and Gidi Creative Centre to offer filmmaking training and support various festivals and awards, including the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
She also mentioned that ₦400 million in grants had been awarded to filmmakers, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pledging to double this amount.
Akindele expressed her gratitude for the meeting and discussed potential collaborations between the state and her production company in a post on X on May 15. She conveyed her excitement about working with the ministry to maximize the potential of Lagos State’s culture, tourism, and media sectors.
She wrote:
“It was such an honor to meet with the Honorable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture for Lagos State, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, and other executives of the Ministry on project collaborations between the Lagos State Government and Funke Akindele Network Limited!
We are grateful for this amazing opportunity and we look forward to maximizing the Culture, Tourism and Media sectors of Lagos State.”
Her upcoming projects, including the movies “Finding Me” and “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” will be produced through her Funke Akindele Network (FAAN).
