Nollywood actress Bunmi Nelson has opened up about a missed opportunity with actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele, admitting that she underestimated her potential and failed to take her early invitation into the movie industry seriously.

“I didn’t see Funke going far. That’s why in life, don’t underestimate anybody. Don’t look down on anyone except you’re admiring their shoelace.”

She added: “If I knew Funke would go far like this, I would have held her tight because I can’t even see her back now.”

According to Nelson, Akindele had introduced her to veteran filmmaker Odunfa after they met through a mutual friend. At the time, Nelson provided houses as filming locations and had already interacted with several people in the industry.She recalled that Akindele later approached her for a filming location and repeatedly encouraged her to join the movie industry.

However, Nelson admitted that she did not recognise the opportunity and took Akindele’s calls for granted.

“I missed that big opportunity because Funke was telling me then that, ‘Ah, why don’t you come?’”

Nelson said she became hesitant after hearing stories about the Yoruba movie industry, including claims that newcomers were expected to show excessive respect to senior colleagues.

“I was telling her, ‘I’ve heard a lot about Yoruba industry. They will say you should say auntie. They will say you should kneel down. Then one person say you should carry bag.’”

Looking back, the actress said she has learnt an important lesson about humility and respecting everyone regardless of their current status.

“That is why you need to humble yourself in life. If there’s anything I’ve learned in life now, it’s humility.”

Nelson also apologised to Kunle Afod, Sodiq Adebayo and Funke Akindele, appealing for another opportunity to work with them