In a bold move to prepare Nigerian youths for the digital future, O2 Academy Lagos has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Education under the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS–TVET) programme, supported by the World Bank, to train young people in AI Filmmaking and Mobile Content Creation.
The programme, launched at the O2 Academy campus in Ojota, Lagos, represents a significant advancement for Nigeria’s creative and film industries, placing artificial intelligence at the heart of storytelling and production.
For O2 Academy, this initiative goes beyond a typical training exercise—it’s a mission to connect traditional filmmaking with emerging digital technologies. Speaking at the launch, Ucher Ozor, Associate Provost of O2 Academy, described the event as a milestone for youth empowerment. “This marks the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s creative education. It’s the first AI-driven training programme designed to help young Nigerians stay relevant in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he said.
Ozor explained that the broader IDEAS–TVET initiative targets 75,000 youths nationwide for skill development. From that number, 100 participants have been selected for specialized training in AI-powered filmmaking and mobile content creation at O2 Academy. He noted that with AI increasingly shaping industries worldwide, Nigeria must ensure its youth are equipped to keep pace with technological progress.
Also present at the flag-off ceremony was Victor Okhai, former President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), who described the initiative as a “game changer” for Nollywood and the creative sector at large. “These participants are stepping into a future full of opportunity,” he remarked. “O2 Academy’s solid industry network will give them access to internships and jobs. It’s encouraging to see the Federal Government investing in a creative sector that has the power to contribute as much to the economy as oil.”
This collaboration signifies a major leap forward for Nigeria’s creative ecosystem—arming its youth with digital skills and positioning them to lead Africa’s transformation in film, media, and storytelling.
