Funke Akindele urges Nigerian youths to embrace skills, hard work over quick wealth
Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has encouraged Nigerian youths to reject the get-rich-quick mindset and focus on acquiring valuable skills and building sustainable careers through hard work.
Speaking in a recent interview with BellaNaija, Akindele said she deliberately chose to earn an honest living despite facing financial challenges in her early years.
The award-winning filmmaker recalled selling bed spaces while studying at the University of Lagos as part of her efforts to support herself, describing herself as someone who has always believed in hard work.
“I could have been wayward to earn a living but I decided to follow the right path. I was selling bed spaces in Unilag so I could survive. I was hustling. I am a hustler,” she said.
Akindele added that life experiences shaped her strong work ethic, stressing that she has always been committed to earning a legitimate income.
She advised young Nigerians not to rely solely on academic qualifications but to learn practical skills that can provide income, especially during periods when jobs are difficult to secure.
According to her, skill acquisition remains one of the most effective ways for young people to create opportunities and achieve financial independence.
