The creative spirit of Lagos shimmered brightly at Alliance Française as Smid Animation Studio marked its 15th anniversary, a milestone that celebrated fifteen years of pioneering African storytelling through animation. The evening brimmed with inspiration, art, and reflection, crowned by an engaging panel conversation between Smid’s Founder and CEO, Damilola Solesi, and the Director General of the National Theatre, Tola Akerele.
Taking the microphone with calm confidence and a storyteller’s grace, Tola Akerele shared a stirring reflection on how heritage and innovation can together shape Africa’s creative identity. Her words carried the quiet authority of experience and the warmth of conviction. “It has been quite a challenging month,” she said with a soft smile, “but standing here today, learning and celebrating the continuity of our culture, makes this moment truly special.”
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Her conversation with Damilola Solesi flowed like a masterclass in vision and purpose, two women from different paths united by a shared passion for using creativity to preserve African identity. Akerele spoke of the power of storytelling, technology, and collaboration in safeguarding Nigeria’s cultural legacy while inspiring a new generation of creators. “It’s important that we find the right balance between technology and storytelling,” she explained. “Both are essential in helping us preserve culture while staying relevant in a modern world.”
The audience, an inspired mix of artists, children, parents, animators, and cultural advocates, listened intently as Akerele emphasized that Nigeria’s culture is not static; it evolves and thrives through art and innovation. “Many of us don’t know our own cultural stories deeply enough,” she said. “Animation, art, and drama can change that—they help us rediscover and celebrate who we are.”
Amid the creative energy of the anniversary celebration, Akerele commended Solesi and her team at Smid for their trailblazing work in putting African animation on the global map. “Without the collective effort of everyone here, this moment wouldn’t be possible,” she said. “It’s really exciting to see what partnerships like this can make happen.”
At the heart of her message was a deep commitment to empowering the next generation. Akerele spoke passionately about arts education, animation workshops, and theatre training as vital tools for shaping young minds. “Children, especially, are being bombarded with messages on social media,” she observed. “That’s why it’s so important we create strong, positive African narratives for them. Even if they don’t all become animators, these experiences build confidence, teamwork, and cultural pride.”
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Appointed recently by President Bola Tinubu among 11 new Chief Executive Officers of Nigeria’s leading cultural institutions, Akerele brings to the National Theatre a blend of creative entrepreneurship, cultural passion, and visionary leadership. Her conversation with Solesi was more than a dialogue; it was a blueprint for Nigeria’s creative future, one where innovation serves tradition and storytelling becomes a tool of national pride.
As the applause echoed through the room, one truth lingered: Nigeria’s creative evolution will not come from abandoning its roots, but from reimagining them with courage, collaboration, and conviction.
