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The Lagos State Government is set to partner with Nollywood actress Funke Akindele on a future film and reality TV show.
On Thursday, May 9, 2024, the filmmaker met with Toke Benson Awoyinka, the state's Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, to request funding for projects aimed at identifying and nurturing fresh talent in the creative industry.
Akindele thanked Awoyinka for the meeting and addressed potential collaborations between the state and her production company in a post on X on Wednesday, May 15.
Funke Akindele said: “I am very aware of the contribution of the State Government to the creative sector. Since our aim and objective of developing the industry are the same I thought it would be great to collaborate with the Lagos State Government on two projects aimed at discovering and developing new talents who will be mentored and assisted to climb the ladder of success and take over as shining stars of the industry in future,”
Awoyinka explained that the ministry collaborates with Ebonylife Academy, Africa Movie Academy, and Gidi Creative Centre to provide filmmaking instruction, and supports festivals and The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
She added that ₦400 million in grants had been awarded to filmmakers and that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged to double the amount.
“It was such an honor to meet with the Honorable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture for Lagos State, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, and other executives of the Ministry on project collaborations between the Lagos State Government and Funke Akindele Network Limited.
