Funke Akindele, renowned Nollywood actress and producer, was recently appointed as the UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador for Nigeria. This significant honor highlights her decades-long contributions to social change and her influence as an artist. Akindele first gained widespread recognition through her role in I Need to Know, a UN-funded series addressing adolescent reproductive health and HIV awareness. Over time, her prominence as a cultural icon has made her a natural choice for this impactful role.
“Funke Akindele brings immense energy and dedication to this cause, and we look forward to working with her to reach more people with lifesaving information and services,” UNAIDS stated.
In her new capacity, Akindele will focus on critical objectives such as eliminating the transmission of HIV from mothers to children, reducing stigma, and promoting HIV prevention and education. This aligns with Nigeria’s notable progress in combating HIV, including a 42.3% reduction in new infections between 2010 and 2023. However, challenges like stigma and unequal access to treatment persist, making her advocacy crucial.
Her appointment was officially announced during the World AIDS Day event in Abuja on December 3, 2024. The United Nations and Nigeria’s National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) highlighted her powerful influence as a key factor in addressing HIV-related issues across the nation.
