Call for Nigeria to reclaim its narrative through creative storytelling took centre stage on Friday at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), as global and local animation experts, academics and industry stakeholders converged for a landmark stop-motion animation symposium and workshop.
The event, which was held at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium, was organised by the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Skills, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development in collaboration with Radioxity Stop Motion Academy, drawing attention to the urgent need for Africans to tell their own stories or risk having them told by others.
The Chief Executive Officer, Radioxity Media, Esther Kemi Gbadamosi, while delivering her keynote address, lamented the absence of a coordinated cultural movement from Nigeria, noting that despite the richness of African stories, they’re often produced and interpreted by foreign curtaors.
“We’ve seen African stories on global platforms, but shockingly, they are not told by Africans,” the speaker said, referencing experiences at international film gatherings.
“If we don’t 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 “seriously lacking” in Nigeria.
“Stop-motion is especially powerful for children’s content. This is the future where our stories travel across the world and create new markets,” she added.
The Chief Executive Officer informed of incentives tied to the workshop, including access to startup classes, a six-week paid internship program, and professional training opportunities sponsored by the French Embassy and Access Bank.
In his welcome address, the Director, TETFund Centre for Excellence in Skills, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development, Arc. 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 capable of addressing national development challenges.
“Stop-motion animation is a fusion of art and engineering with global relevance. Our students already possess foundational creative skills—what they need is direction and exposure to transform these into viable enterprises,” Ayodele-Oja said.
He added that 120 shortlisted students would undergo intensive hands-on training, where they would be introduced to professional techniques using specialised animation equipment.
The Rector of the College, Dr. Engr. Ibraheem Abdul, in an address delivered by the Deputy Rector (Academics), Dr. Engr. Ismail Badmus, emphasised the importance of creativity and consistency in achieving excellence.
“Stop-motion animation teaches us that great things are built one small step at a time. It mirrors our academic journey. Progress may seem slow, but consistency produces remarkable results,” he said.
The Rector 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 joining virtually, reinforcing the global dimension of the initiative.
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