By Akeem Lasisi
As Lagos fulfills its destiny as the prime centre of the entertainment industry in Africa, there is hardly any month it does not host the premiere of a major film. While the December 2024 bustle, for instance, witnessed the unveiling of Funke Akindele’s Everybody Loves Jenifa and Femi Adebayo’s Seven Doors, and Iyabo Ojo’s Labake Olododo premiered in the Centre of Excellence on on 23 March. Now, the city is set to record history as the first AI film on the continent, titled Makemation’ will be premiered on 8 April.
The movie examines the intersection of real life and AI. It is generating a lot of buzz, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is also excited about it. He made this known at a recent screening where he renewed the passion of his administration for supporting the creative industry. The governor commended the producer, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, and the other stakeholders that made Makemation’happen, assuring all practitioners of his willingness to collaborate on transformative ideas.
Of course, many people will have no cause to doubt Sanwo-Olu’s words based on how faithful his administration has remained to the pledge towards creative industry advancement, as entrenched in the T.H.E.M.E. + agenda. About the same time he was spreading the red carpet for the Makemation, the state government was also supporting the national conference of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, which held between Ikeja and Akoka, while it also supported the 90th birthday feast of legendary writer, Mabel Segun, through the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. As nature would have it, the elaborate literary feast happened to be the last honour accorded Segun as she passed away days after.
At the screening of the AI movie, Sanwo-Olu renewed his administration’s commitment to investing in essential infrastructure enabling the creative sector to thrive. He said: ‘This production highlights the power of collaboration. We need more partnerships like this. Our role is to enable and create platforms for you to excel. This is the most innovative industry. See this government as a partner in shaping the future we all desire’.
Apart from its entertainment value, Makemation is expected to ginger interest in AI productions. Nigerian youths will be looking forward to see how the technology works and its potential to bring money and fame.
On the essence of the film, Akerele-Ogunsiji said it explored themes such as STEM (an interdisciplinary approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, focusing on real-world applications and problem-solving skills) education, digital skills, financial literacy, and gender equality. According to her, it navigates AI’s transformative power and its impact on the fourth industrial revolution.
She said: ‘Viewers will see young people designing bras that detect breast cancer. We must move beyond consuming innovation and start building our own. Nigerian films should showcase our indigenous innovations. This film is for the future. Success isn’t reserved for a select few’.
On the philosophy behind the work, she also wrote in an article: ‘Makemation is more than just a film; it’s a movement. We want to spark conversations, drive policy changes, and engage young minds—students, teachers, parents—on the transformative power of AI and the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution. As Gen Zs and Gen Alphas shape the future, this is Nigeria and Africa’s moment to take the lead in the global digital revolution. Through this film, we invite the world to see the intersection of Nigeria’s creative and digital economies through our ambitions and traditions – and co-create the best of AI tools that will serve the interest of humanity’.
Noting that technology was key to the industry’s future, with Lagos positioning itself as a leader in digital innovation, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, highlighted the government’s efforts to empower creatives over the past six years. She said the ministry had trained nearly 20,000 young Nigerians in filmmaking, content creation, and other creative fields through strategic partnerships. Institutions such as EbonyLife Academy, Gidi Creatives, AMA Creative Academy, and Delyork Academy had collaborated on these initiatives, she added.
‘Our visit to San Francisco to engage with tech entrepreneur Ghazi Shami was a strategic step toward fostering strong digital partnerships. We aim to build a globally competitive workforce ready to dominate the creative economy’, she added.