PHOTO CREDIT: Pulse Nigeria / Biola Adebayo Show
Bunmi Nelson Issues Public Apology to Funke Akindele Over Past Decision

Nollywood actress Bunmi Nelson has publicly apologized to filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele, admitting she regrets turning down an opportunity from her in the past because she underestimated her potential.

Nelson made the apology during an interview on Biola Adebayo’s podcast on August 21, where she spoke about her career journey, including her decision to step away from acting for a relationship — a move she now describes as a mistake.

In an emotional moment on the show, she directly addressed Akindele:
“I’m sorry, Funke Akindele. I know I messed up, and I just want you to forgive me. 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… I’m open to job offers from you, please.”
She explained that she and Akindele did not meet on a movie set but through a mutual friend, and she has always respected her since then.

According to Nelson, the incident happened around 2006/2007 when Nollywood was still much smaller. At the time, she was providing locations for film shoots and was in contact with several industry players. She said Akindele had repeatedly encouraged her to join the industry fully, but she dismissed it due to negative rumours she had heard about the Yoruba movie sector.
“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.
Reflecting on it now, Nelson said the lesson taught her never to look down on anyone.
“I didn’t see Funke going far. That’s why in life, don’t underestimate anybody… If I knew Funke would go far like this, I would have held her tight, because I can’t even see her back now,” she said.
The actress also used the opportunity to apologize to fellow filmmakers Kunle Afod and Sodiq Adebayo, adding that she is now fully back in Nollywood and open to working with them.
SOURCE: Pulse Nigeria