1,500 Young Creatives Trained in Photography and Filmmaking at Lens for Good Workshop

More than 1,500 young creatives gathered at the Ilorin Innovation Hub in Kwara State for the Lens for Good Creative Kwara Workshop, a two-day training programme focused on photography, filmmaking, and visual storytelling for social impact.

The initiative, founded by Nosa Asemota, personal photographer and Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Visual Communication, aims to equip emerging storytellers with practical skills that can help them build careers while documenting their communities.

Held on March 5–6, 2026, the workshop was organised in partnership with the Kwara State Government as part of broader efforts to strengthen the state’s creative ecosystem and empower young creatives with industry-relevant skills.

Training the Next Generation of Nigerian Storytellers

The workshop, anchored by renowned creative professional Deji Onadeko, brought together leading voices in Nigeria’s visual storytelling and creative industry.

Facilitators included Dapo King, Diji Aderogba, Nora Awolowo, Damola Shot It, Taibat Ajiboye, Celina Kama, Amazing Klef, Felix Crown, and Feranmi Abiola, who led practical sessions on photography, filmmaking, creative ethics, storytelling techniques, and sustainable career development in the creative sector.

Participants were exposed to hands-on learning sessions, gaining practical experience in visual storytelling, production techniques, and content creation strategies.

The training sessions focused on how visual creators can shape narratives, document real stories, and contribute to cultural documentation and social impact across Nigeria.

Equipment Grants Support Emerging Creatives

As part of its commitment to empowering young creatives, Lens for Good distributed equipment grants worth millions of naira to participants.

The grants included:

• Drones
• Canon cameras
• Smartphones
• Lighting equipment
• Content creation starter packs

The support ensured that many participants left the workshop not only with knowledge but also with professional tools needed to begin creating content and telling stories immediately.

Storytelling as a Tool for Impact

Speaking at the opening session, Nosa Asemota noted that the goal of the initiative extends beyond short-term training.

“The goal is not simply to teach people everything in a few days,” he said.

“It is to empower storytellers and give them a glimpse of what is possible, a head start. Over time, they can become people who document their communities, shape narratives, and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s creative economy.”

According to Asemota, storytelling has become an increasingly powerful tool for documenting social realities, preserving culture, and driving conversations around development and change.

Building Nigeria’s Creative Ecosystem

The workshop concluded with a broader call to strengthen Nigeria’s creative ecosystem by supporting emerging storytellers and visual creators.

In her closing remarks, Julia Azubuike, Executive Director of Lens for Good, thanked the facilitators, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and participants who contributed to the success of the programme.

“This is the time for more organisations that are passionate about storytelling, culture, and impact to invest in young creators and help build a stronger creative ecosystem across Nigeria,” she said.

Mentorship and Advanced Training Ahead

The Lens for Good initiative will continue beyond the Kwara workshop, with organisers announcing plans for further training and mentorship opportunities.

Outstanding participants from the programme will be selected for advanced training and mentorship, providing them with additional resources and opportunities to develop their craft.

As part of the next phase of the initiative, selected creatives will collaborate on a project aimed at telling a powerful visual story from their state—documenting the people, culture, and everyday realities of their communities.

Through these efforts, Lens for Good continues to position visual storytelling as a powerful tool for creative growth, cultural documentation, and social impact in Nigeria.