Funke Akindele Urges Youths To Shun Get-Rich-Quick Mentality, Embrace Hard Work

Award-winning Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has advised Nigerian youths to avoid the get-rich-quick mindset and focus on developing valuable skills through hard work and dedication.

Speaking during a recent interview with BellaNaija, the actress said she had opportunities to make money through dishonest means but deliberately chose to earn a living through legitimate work.

Funke recalled hustling during her time at the University of Lagos, where she sold bed spaces to support herself. She added that she made several personal sacrifices, including neglecting her comfort and appearance, to achieve success the right way.

She stressed that education alone is not enough and encouraged young people to learn practical skills that can provide income when jobs are unavailable.

According to her, hard work and resilience have shaped the person she is today.

She said, “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. That’s why you see that I am so ‘handsome.’

“I am very firm because life taught me. I can’t do otherwise. I just want to work and earn a living. I am wired like that.

“Skills acquisition is very important. As a young woman or man, you have to acquire skills so that when there is no job, you can use your skill to make money for yourself.”