Funke Akindele Recalls Student Hustles In UNILAG

Actress and producer Funke Akindele has spoken about the different jobs she did to sustain herself while studying at the University of Lagos.

In an interview with BellaNaija, the award-winning filmmaker said she taught herself nail art by watching people work in Yaba.

She also recalled a tough experience with a client who was unhappy with her service.

“When I was at the University of Lagos, I used to make nails. I made nails for a girl one day, and she slapped me because they were rubbish. I learnt by watching people make nails in Yaba. I would buy them, stay in the corridor, and ask people to come and get their nails done,” she said.

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According to her, nail-making was just one of many hustles she took on as a student.

Speaking further, she revealed that she sold cakes, worked as a makeup artist, did costuming, and helped source locations for film shoots.

“I was selling cakes. Bimpe Onakoya, the talented make-up artist, was buying cakes from me. She would make me up. I learnt from people making hair. I did make-up. I did costuming. I used to customise for Aunty Bukky Wright. Even Iyabo Ojo then. I would go to Yaba and buy costumes and iron them,” she said.

Furthermore, Akindele explained that she worked as a location manager, negotiating with landlords to use their homes for filming and taking a percentage of the payment.

She added that she even sold bed spaces in UNILAG to make ends meet.

“I was a location manager. I would go to houses and knock. If they paid the owner N100,000, I could take 30 and pay the person 70. I sold bed space in UNILAG so I could survive. I am a hustler. That is why I am firm. Life taught me, and I cannot do otherwise,” she said.

BY ABDULBAQI JIBREEL AJAO