Funke Akindele: How I did nails, sold bed space and cakes to survive at UNILAG

Funke Akindele, the award-winning filmmaker, has opened up
about the odd jobs she took on to survive during her university years,
including a humiliating incident where a client slapped her over poor nail
artistry.

 

In a recent interview, the 48-year-old actress revealed that
she learned nail-making and makeup artistry while studying at the University of
Lagos, often sitting in school corridors to attract customers.

“When I was in 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 from watching people make nails at Yaba. I will buy them,
stay in the corridor, and ask people to come and get their nails done,” she
said.

Akindele also said she baked cakes with makeup artist Bimpe
Onakoya among her regular buyers and worked as a costume designer for veteran
actresses including Bukky Wright and Iyabo Ojo.

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

“I was a location manager. I will go to houses and knock. If
they pay the owner N100,000, I can 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.”

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