In a bid to strengthen the local animation industry, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), in collaboration with Radioxity Stop Motion Academy and the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Skills, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development, is championing Nigeria’s creative storytelling.

The college and its partners made a strong call for Nigeria to reclaim its narrative through creative storytelling during a landmark stop-motion animation symposium and workshop held at the institution’s Yusuf Grillo Auditorium.

The event brought together global and local animation experts, academics, and industry stakeholders.

In her keynote address, the Chief Executive Officer of Radioxity Media, Esther Gbadamosi, lamented the absence of a coordinated cultural movement from Nigeria.

She noted that, despite the richness of African stories, they are often produced and interpreted by non-Africans.

“We have seen African stories on global platforms, but shockingly, they are not told by Africans,” she said, referencing experiences at international film gatherings.

“If we do not come out to tell our stories, others will tell them for us, and not necessarily the way they should be told.”

Gbadamosi cited historical distortions, including narratives around early European exploration of Africa, as examples of how storytelling shapes perception and legacy.

According to her, stop-motion animation offers Nigerians, especially young creatives, a unique opportunity to share authentic cultural expressions with global audiences.

She further highlighted the economic and social potential of the creative industry, particularly in children’s programming, which she described as lacking in Nigeria.

Gbadamosi also announced incentives tied to the workshop, including access to start-up classes, a six-week paid internship programme, and professional training opportunities sponsored by the French Embassy and Access Bank.

The Director of TETFund Centre for Excellence in Skills, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development (TETCoE), Sherifdeen Ayodele-Oja, described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to bridge the gap between academia and industry, while promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.

He noted that the centre, established in 2021 as one of six polytechnic Centres of Excellence in Nigeria, is committed to equipping students with industry-relevant skills and fostering applied research that addresses national development challenges.

He added that 120 shortlisted students would undergo intensive, hands-on training, during which they would be introduced to professional techniques using specialised animation equipment.

The Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, who was represented by the Deputy Rector in charge of Academics, Ismail Badmus, emphasised the importance of creativity and consistency in achieving excellence.

Abdul reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only employable but capable of creating jobs through innovation.

He described the workshop as a strategic effort to align academic training with the demands of the global creative economy.

The symposium also featured contributions from international animation experts who joined virtually, reinforcing the initiative’s global dimension and providing participants with broader industry perspectives.