By David Adebayo
Amid lingering speculation, Tobi Makinde has finally broken his silence on his current standing with filmmaker and industry powerhouse Funke Akindele.
In a recent interview with BBC Pidgin, the actor sought to clarify his relationship with his former mentor.
Persecondnews reports that the move follows months of fan-led theories suggesting a rift in a professional bond that produced some of Nollywood’s biggest recent hits.
Breaking his silence, Makinde dismissed the narratives making the rounds online, attributing much of the speculation to the nature of social media storytelling.
“Nothing really happened between me and Madam Funke,” he said, firmly shutting down any insinuation of conflict or fallout between them.
Expanding on his point, the actor explained how digital platforms often create their own narratives, sometimes detached from reality.
“What I’d just say about the matter is that social media likes to write its own script, and then try to find characters to fill it up,” he stated.
Makinde emphasised that his relationship with Akindele is far deeper than what is portrayed online, noting that it was built long before social media began speculating about it.
“Concerning me and Madam Funke, our relationship didn’t start on social media, and it won’t end online,” he added.
Reflecting on personal and professional growth, the actor acknowledged that evolution in one’s career can sometimes create the illusion of distance in relationships.
“There are just some type of growth that, once you move from one position to another, some relationships would seem like they got lost during that growth,” he explained.
Makinde also took a moment to credit key figures who played instrumental roles in shaping his journey in the industry, making it clear that Akindele remained a significant part of that story.
“There is no way you will write my name, and you won’t mention my father, Jimi Makinde, or Mr Tunji Bamisigbin, or even Madam Funke Akindele. Those were the key players for my career,” he said.
Addressing a specific moment that may have fueled speculation, Makinde spoke about the timing of his wedding, which coincided with one of Akindele’s major film promotions.
“The time I did my wedding was when she was also promoting her film, and she’s a very busy person, and she holds her craft to heart,” he noted.
Now focused on carving his own path, Makinde revealed that he is currently immersed in building his independent production career, a move that naturally comes with new priorities.
“Currently, I am doing my own thing, doing my own production,” he said, signaling a transition into a more self-driven phase of his career.
Despite this shift, he made it clear that there is no bad blood and that professional collaboration between them remains open.
“If she calls me for a show, of course, I would go if I am not busy. And if I also have a story that I feel she can be inside, of course, I will reach out.”
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