The Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA) on Friday celebrated the graduation of 8,000 individuals trained in various creative disciplines, including scriptwriting, animation, and light and sound design.
The ceremony, held in Lagos, marked the academy’s third graduation and featured students from its centres in Lagos, Ogun, and Kano—many of whom joined virtually. The event, themed “Celebrating Creative Transformation,” was held in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
Founder and Artistic Director of TAFTA, Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters, described the occasion as a celebration of perseverance and the transformative power of the arts. She noted that since its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic, TAFTA has impacted more than 30,000 individuals through its free training programmes.
She urged the graduands to harness their training and talents to uplift others and challenge societal injustices.
“Every creative journey begins with a single thought. Just like a blank page, each of you holds the potential to create something extraordinary,” she said, expressing gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for its commitment to accessible education.
Also speaking at the event, Rosy Fynn, Country Director of Mastercard Foundation, praised TAFTA’s efforts in providing inclusive, transformative education. She highlighted the graduands’ resilience and growth, noting they were emerging as confident change-makers in Nigeria’s dynamic creative sector.
Fynn stressed the Foundation’s focus on promoting diversity, especially by empowering women and persons with disabilities, despite persistent barriers in the creative economy.
Quoting a PwC report, she stated that Nigeria’s creative and cultural industries are projected to contribute $15 billion to the nation’s GDP by 2025, with the potential to generate 2.7 million jobs.
Veteran actor and writer, Bimbo Manuel, advised the graduands to prioritise competence and integrity over certification as they pursue careers in the creative industry.
“If you think your certificate alone will get you ahead in this business, you’re mistaken. You must prove your worth,” he said.
Nigerian reality TV star and actress Bamike Adenibuyan, popularly known as BamBam, encouraged the graduands to remain authentic and passionate.
“Be unapologetically yourself. Don’t bow to peer pressure. Whatever opportunity you get, give it your best,” she said.
TAFTA Academy Lead, Mr Joseph Umoibom, said that the three-month programme was delivered primarily online, targeting individuals aged 18–35. He noted a particular emphasis on training women to increase female participation in technical roles within film and theatre.
However, he highlighted challenges such as lack of internet data and transport for physical training sessions. He called on institutions, religious bodies, and communities to support access to free training.
During the ceremony, graduands showcased stage plays and short films. One of them, Favour Udechukwu—a Computer Science undergraduate—described the programme as a dream fulfilled. She expressed her aspiration to enter the film industry as a scriptwriter.
“I see myself as a big movie star in the next three to four years,” she said.
