Controversy Trails Funke Akindele’s “Football Age”

Two days ago, Funke Akindele took to Instagram to dispel reports that she clocked 40 on Aug. 24. She told her fans that she’s fabulously 39 and counting.

However, naija social media users seems to have carried the actress’ age matter on their head like metal bucket filled with water.

Funke who got married to boyfriend JJC Skillz at a private ceremony in London this week – is now enmeshed in an age controversy after conflicting reports emerged about her real age. The actress celebrated her birthday lowkey along with her musician lover and his family.

While she claims she’s 39, conflicting information on her Wikipedia page suggests she’s 40-years-old. According to the public online biography, the actress was born Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde on August 24, 1976 in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria.

However, in a different twist, a Nollywood producer who wishes to remain anonymous, told Expressng that the actress is about 44-years-old.

“As at when she starred in I Need To Know, Funke’s age was already more than the teenage character which she portrayed. She is not 39 or 40 as she claims, she is 44 years old. I have been around for quite a while to know this for sure. Age falsification and reduction is a trend in Nollywood and indeed every sector of the society, this is not the first time it is coming up,” the filmmaker said.

Explaining why entertainers tend to lie about their age, brand expert, Ikechukwu Orji said that corporate organizations are more disposed to associating with celebrities who are younger due to their youth segment appeal.

“In the corporate sector, we prefer to work more with celebrities with youth appeal and age plays a factor in this,” Orji said.