Nollywood actress Bunmi Nelson has recalled an early encounter with actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele, admitting that she failed to recognise her colleague’s potential at the time.
Nelson made the revelation during an interview on the Talk to B YouTube podcast, where she reflected on how her relationship with Akindele could have taken a different turn.
According to her, Akindele encouraged her to venture into the Yoruba film industry and introduced her to the Odunfa Caucus, a prominent theatre group and acting academy.
Nelson said she had initially been helping filmmakers by providing houses as locations when she met Akindele through a mutual friend. Akindele subsequently encouraged her on several occasions to consider acting.
However, Nelson said she did not take the opportunity seriously because of what she had heard about the rigorous demands placed on newcomers in the Yoruba movie industry.
She recalled that aspiring actors were expected to show humility towards senior colleagues and sometimes perform basic tasks on set as part of the learning process.
Reflecting on the past, Nelson acknowledged that she underestimated Akindele’s potential and admitted that she would have held on more closely to their relationship if she had known how successful the actress would become.
“I didn’t see Funke going far. That’s why in life, don’t underestimate anybody. Don’t look down on anyone,” she said.
She added, “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 also apologised to actors Kunle Afod and Sodiq Adebayo and expressed her desire for another opportunity to work with Akindele.
Her account serves as a reminder that opportunities can sometimes come through people whose potential is not immediately obvious, making it important not to underestimate others based on their circumstances at the time.