Enioluwa slams fans comparing Funke Akindele to Taraji P. Henson

Nigerian content creator and actor Enioluwa has ignited social media discussions by speaking out against the frequent comparisons made between actress Funke Akindele and Hollywood star Taraji P. Henson.

In a viral post on X, Enioluwa expressed his displeasure at the ongoing tendency to liken Akindele to her American counterpart, stating, “I really don’t like seeing comments that refer to Aunty Funke as the ‘Nigerian version of Taraji P. Henson.’”

He continued, “As much as I love Taraji and admire her work, I don’t understand the constant need to compare our icons to Western figures. Funke Akindele is The Funke Akindele—an unstoppable box office record breaker. She’s not a version of anyone but herself.”

His comments prompted a conversation about how African talents are often measured against Western figures instead of being celebrated for their unique contributions.

One user responded, “I think it’s because they look alike. They’re not on the same path, so it wouldn’t make sense.”

In response, Enioluwa added, “That’s fair, but there’s a deeper issue here—where we often perceive our own as lesser, especially in the entertainment industry. No one ever calls Taraji the American version of Funke Akindele.”