How I Did Nails, Sold Bed Space And Cakes To Survive At UNILAG- Funke Akindele

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.”

Credit: The Cable

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