NOA praises Funke Akindele for respecting the ₦aira in 'Behind The Scenes'

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has praised filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele for promoting respect for the Nigerian currency, the ₦aira, in her film “Behind The Scenes.”

A report from PREMIUM TIMES says Akindele released the film on 12 December 2025. The movie looks at the emotional and financial pressures on people who feel responsible for everyone else's problems.

One memorable scene shows officers from the FCTF interrupting a party just as characters were getting ready to spray cash. They rushed in and warned the crowd.

The scene sends a clear message that spraying money is a financial crime in Nigeria. This reflects real actions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against public figures who misuse banknotes.

NOA reacted positively to this creative choice in a statement signed by its Director-General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, made public on Thursday. They called the move a commendable step towards changing how people view the ₦aira.

The statement said, “The NOA commends you for your recently released movie ‘Behind the Scenes,’ particularly for the thoughtful and patriotic inclusion of a message promoting respect for the national currency.

“We want to recognize you as a role model and applaud your efforts to highlight the importance of treating our national currency with dignity by discouraging the practice of spraying and trampling on the ₦aira at public events.”

The agency noted that Akindele's work aligns with the Federal Government's push for responsible citizenship and following laws about using the ₦aira correctly.

NOA expressed its admiration for the actress and promised ongoing support for her valuable contributions to nation-building.

The statement continued, “As you know, the ₦aira is not just money but a symbol of our national identity and unity. Your influence as a major figure in Nigeria’s creative industry has greatly spread this message, helping to raise public awareness and change behavior in a meaningful way.

“The Agency sees the entertainment industry as key in shaping our society's values and attitudes. Your work shows how film can be a powerful tool for reorienting the nation, and we encourage you to keep using your platform to support causes that promote civic responsibility and national pride.”

NOA's praise for Akindele comes as some entertainers face prosecution for ₦aira abuse and related offenses. This newspaper reported that celebrities like comedian Ayo “AY Comedian” Makun and actress Iyabo Ojo were invited to the EFCC for questioning about these issues.

Further reports say the EFCC arrested businessman Pascal “Cubana Chief Priest (CP)” Okechukwu for ₦aira abuse and took businessman Emeka “E-Money” Okonkwo in for questioning before releasing him after several hours.

In addition, the EFCC jailed crossdresser Okuneye “Bobrisky” Olanrewaju and other TikTokers and content creators for the same offense, as part of efforts to enforce respect for the country's currency.