Today we’d like to introduce you to Franklin Akpoke.
Hi Franklin , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has been anything but conventional, and I believe that is what makes it unique. I was born and raised in Nigeria, where I developed an early appreciation for leadership, storytelling, and connecting with people. Growing up, I was fascinated by both the structure of leadership and the creativity of the arts, even though I didn’t fully realize at the time how those interests would shape my future.
I pursued a career in the maritime industry, where I gained valuable experience in leadership, operations, business development, and project management. My time in the industry taught me discipline, resilience, teamwork, and the importance of performing under pressure. Along the way, I held several leadership positions, including serving as Deputy Chief Cadets Captain at the Nigerian Maritime Academy, experiences that helped shape my confidence and leadership style.
While building my professional career, I never lost my passion for storytelling. In 2014, I began my acting journey on stage with Pace Setters Academy before transitioning into television and film. What started as a passion gradually evolved into a serious career path, leading me to work as an actor, creative director, producer, and content creator. Through these experiences, I discovered the power of storytelling to inspire, entertain, and create meaningful conversations.
Beyond maritime and filmmaking, I also ventured into entrepreneurship, including hospitality and Airbnb management in Nigeria. These experiences have taught me the value of creating memorable experiences, understanding people, and building sustainable businesses.
Today, I am fortunate to operate at the intersection of business, leadership, hospitality, and the creative industry. I continue to work in maritime while actively pursuing opportunities in film, content creation, and production. My goal is to tell compelling African stories that resonate with audiences around the world while building partnerships that help bridge African creativity with the global entertainment industry.
Looking back, every chapter of my journey—from maritime leadership to acting, entrepreneurship, and content creation—has contributed to who I am today. The common thread has always been a desire to create impact, inspire others, and bring great stories to life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it certainly has not been a smooth road, but I believe the challenges have been some of my greatest teachers.
Growing up in Nigeria comes with unique realities. Like many young people, I faced economic uncertainties, limited opportunities, and the pressure to choose a traditional career path that offered stability and security. In many African families, careers in industries such as engineering, maritime, medicine, law, or business are often viewed as more practical than pursuing a career in the creative arts. As a result, balancing my passion for acting and storytelling with professional and family expectations was not always easy.
There were times when people questioned whether a career in film and entertainment was realistic or sustainable. I had to prove not only to others but also to myself that creativity could coexist with professionalism, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Rather than choosing one path, I committed to building both my professional career in the maritime industry and my creative career in the entertainment industry.
Another challenge was access. The Nigerian creative industry is highly competitive, and opportunities are often limited for emerging talents. Breaking into the industry required persistence, patience, continuous learning, and a willingness to start small. There were moments of rejection, setbacks, and projects that did not go as planned, but each experience helped me grow stronger and more focused.
Entrepreneurship has also come with its own lessons. Building businesses, including my hospitality ventures, has required resilience, adaptability, and the ability to navigate an ever-changing business environment. Like many entrepreneurs, I have faced unexpected challenges, financial risks, and difficult decisions, but those experiences have strengthened my ability to lead and innovate.
Looking back, I would not change any part of the journey. The obstacles taught me discipline, perseverance, and faith in my vision. They also helped me appreciate every opportunity that came my way. Today, I see those struggles not as barriers but as stepping stones that shaped the person, entrepreneur, actor, producer, and leader I have become.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I would describe myself first and foremost as a storyteller and creative visionary. My work revolves around finding ideas, emotions, and experiences that people can connect with and transforming them into compelling visual stories. As an actor, I enjoy stepping into different characters and exploring the human experience from different perspectives. As a creative director and producer, I enjoy building worlds, shaping narratives, and bringing creative concepts to life from the ground up.
Over the years, I have developed a reputation for being both creative and strategic. I don’t just focus on the artistic side of a project; I also pay close attention to audience engagement, branding, execution, and long-term impact. I enjoy creating content that is entertaining but also meaningful.
One of the things I am most proud of is my ability to continuously reinvent myself and pursue opportunities beyond traditional boundaries. My journey has taken me through business, hospitality, maritime leadership, content creation, and filmmaking. Rather than seeing these as separate paths, I see them as experiences that have expanded my understanding of people, cultures, and human behavior—all of which contribute to better storytelling.
What sets me apart is my perspective. I bring real-world experiences into my creative work. I’ve interacted with people from different backgrounds, industries, and walks of life, and those experiences influence how I approach characters, stories, and productions. I believe great storytelling comes from lived experiences, curiosity, and a willingness to see the world through different lenses.
Today, my focus is on creating projects that can travel beyond borders. With the growing global appreciation for African content, I am passionate about developing stories that are authentically African while remaining universally relatable. My ambition is to collaborate with filmmakers, producers, investors, and creative talents across the world to create films and content that leave a lasting impact on audiences everywhere.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that mentorship and networking are built on genuine relationships, not just transactions. Early in my journey, I believed networking was about meeting as many people as possible. Over time, I realized it is more about building meaningful connections with people who share your values, interests, and vision.
My advice to anyone looking for a mentor is to focus on learning before asking for favors. Identify people whose careers you genuinely admire, study their work, support what they are doing, and look for opportunities to add value. The best mentor relationships often develop naturally through mutual respect rather than a direct request for mentorship.
Networking has worked best for me when I approach it with curiosity and authenticity. Whether in business, hospitality, maritime, or the creative industry, I have found that people remember those who are sincere, reliable, and willing to contribute. Every meaningful opportunity I have received has come through relationships built over time, not overnight.
I also believe in putting yourself in environments where growth is happening. Attend industry events, workshops, film festivals, conferences, and community gatherings. Engage with people online and offline. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself, ask thoughtful questions, and share your journey. Sometimes a single conversation can open doors you never imagined.
Most importantly, be patient. Many people focus on collecting contacts, but I focus on building relationships. A strong network is not measured by the number of people you know; it is measured by the number of people who trust, respect, and believe in your work. In my experience, those relationships become far more valuable than any business card or social media connection.
The opportunities that have had the greatest impact on my career came from consistently showing up, delivering quality work, treating people well, and staying connected long after the initial introduction. That’s a principle that has served me well across every industry I’ve worked in.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franklinakpoke
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18rSGeiT6n/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: Rhynodjeweler@gmail.com
