Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has encouraged Nigerian youths to reject the pursuit of quick wealth and instead focus on acquiring practical skills and building successful careers through hard work.

Speaking in a recent interview, Akindele reflected on her early struggles, saying she deliberately chose honest work despite having opportunities to take easier but questionable paths.

She recalled selling bed spaces while studying at the University of Lagos to support herself, describing herself as a “hustler” whose life experiences shaped her discipline and work ethic.

“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,” she said.

Akindele stressed that academic qualifications alone are no longer sufficient in today’s job market, urging young people to develop practical skills that can provide an alternative source of income.

“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,” she added.

Her remarks highlight the growing call for entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and vocational skills as many young Nigerians navigate a challenging economic environment.