The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has officially unveiled “Makemation,” Africa’s first Tech/AI-themed feature film, signaling a bold leap for the continent’s creative and innovation industries.
Speaking at the grand unveiling held on Sunday in Marina, Sanwo-Olu described Makemation as a groundbreaking production that merges storytelling with the transformative power of technology.
The film, produced by renowned human development expert Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, will hit cinemas across Nigeria beginning Friday, April 18, 2025, during Easter weekend.
Sanwo-Olu praised the film’s producer and cast, reaffirming the state government’s unwavering commitment to investing in infrastructure and initiatives that nurture Lagos’s creative ecosystem.
This production highlights the power of collaboration. We need more partnerships like this. Our role is to enable and create platforms for creatives to excel. This is the most innovative industry, and this government remains a partner in shaping the future we all desire,” he said.
The governor added that projects like Makemation exemplify how creativity and innovation can drive economic growth while promoting Lagos as a leading hub for arts and digital innovation in Africa.
According to Akerele-Ogunsiji,Makemation explore a rich blend of themes STEM education, digital skills, financial literacy, and gender equality, in a compelling narrative that connects artificial intelligence with real-life experiences.
“The film examines how young people are building the future — from designing AI-powered bras that detect breast cancer to developing indigenous innovations. It’s about moving from consuming technology to creating it,” she explained.
The star-studded cast includes Richard Mofe-Damijo, Tony Umez, Shaffy Bello, Ibrahim Chatta, Toyin Afolayan, and Ali Nuhu, and presents a four-quadrant family drama that blends pop culture, scientific research, and comedy in a high-energy cinematic experience.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, highlighted the government’s significant investment in the creative industry, revealing that nearly 20,000 young Nigerians have been trained in filmmaking, content creation, and other media skills through partnerships with institutions like EbonyLife Academy, Gidi Creatives, AMA Creative Academy, and Delyork Academy.
Technology is the future of the creative sector. Our visit to San Francisco to engage tech entrepreneurs like Ghazi Shami was a strategic step to build stronger digital partnerships,” she added.
She emphasized that through grants, training, and strategic collaborations, Lagos is positioning itself to produce globally competitive creatives while strengthening Nigeria’s cultural exports.
Also speaking at the event, Ali Nuhu, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation and cast member in Makemation, lauded Sanwo-Olu’s consistent support for the film industry.
This is a project we are proud of. The government’s involvement gives us confidence that more innovations like this will thrive,” he said.
Microsoft’s Country Manager, Olatomiwa Williams, stressed the importance of equipping youths with responsible AI skills, urging collaboration among tech hubs, schools, government, and private organizations.
With Makemation set to make history this Easter, stakeholders across Nigeria’s creative and tech spaces are hopeful it will open a new chapter for storytelling, youth empowerment, and innovation in Africa.
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