Akindele made the call during a fireside chat at the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) WKND 2026 in Lagos.
She emphasised the need for established filmmakers to work with young influencers, content creators and emerging filmmakers, noting that strategic partnerships could improve film promotion, audience engagement and the visibility of Nigerian productions.
According to her, engaging grassroots content creators has become an important part of her marketing strategy because of their creativity, strong audience connections and ability to reach new communities.
“I am not too big to be big. I don’t want to be big either. So don’t take me too big,” she said, urging established creatives to remain accessible and open to working with younger talents.
Akindele disclosed that she regularly contacts emerging content creators, sometimes through direct messages, to explore collaborations and promote her projects.
She also highlighted the importance of audience research, intentional marketing and strategic partnerships in making Nigerian films more competitive locally and internationally.
On expanding the industry’s global presence, she called for deliberate efforts to build partnerships across Africa and create opportunities for talents from other countries on the continent.
The filmmaker reaffirmed her commitment to providing platforms for young actors, writers and filmmakers to develop their skills, gain experience and showcase their abilities.
She urged emerging creatives to remain resilient, describing rejection, fatigue and setbacks as inevitable parts of building a sustainable career.
“Don’t give up on your purpose. Don’t give up on your dreams. You have to go back and re-strategise, think of a way you stand out of the crowd,” she said.
Akindele further stressed that success should be measured not only by financial achievements but also by the opportunities created for others.
She encouraged young creatives to draw inspiration from successful practitioners while protecting their originality, intellectual property and creative identity.
She cautioned against copying ideas, misrepresenting ownership of creative works or using established brands without permission.
Ms Akindele’s message underscored the importance of mentorship, collaboration, innovation and respect for intellectual property in building a more sustainable and globally competitive Nigerian creative industry.
