[3] She is of Nigerian descent,[4] was born to mother Christine, a Macmillan Cancer Support nurse, and she has a brother and a sister.
[5] Akilade began attending the Dance School of Scotland in Knightswood, but quit when she secured her role in Eve.
[6] Akilade made her professional debut as Lily Watson in the CBBC children's series Eve in 2015, a role she portrayed until 2017, despite having no formal training.
[5] In 2020, Akilade joined the cast of the BBC Scotland crime drama Shetland for its seventh series as PC Lorna Burns.
Akilade made her professional stage debut originating the role of Rebecca in the musical Starter for Ten at the Bristol Old Vic.