Chioma Ezike
It was a gathering of stakeholders from both the movie and technology industry at the Lagos House Marina as the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hosted the unveiling of ”Makamation”, Africa’s first feature film on Artificial Intelligence to the media on Sunday February 9, 2025.
Makemation is a huge step forward for Nollywood, blending artificial intelligence, social themes, and entertainment in a way that has never been done before in African cinema.
In a remark Sanwo-Olu said the AI film, produced by human development expert, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, will make its cinematic debut in Lagos on Friday, April 18 during the Easter weekend.
He commended the producer and cast, assuring creatives of his willingness to collaborate on transformative ideas that project and develop the state’s creative industry while reaffirming the Lagos state’s government’s commitment to investing in essential infrastructure enabling the creative sector to thrive.
The governor emphasized on his administration’s focus on ensuring creativity and innovation in the state’s film and entertainment industry while assuring the government full support for anyone that comes up with an innovation that will impact positively on creative industry/young people.
“We have consistently prioritised the growth of our creative industry and believe that fostering creativity and innovation is crucial for our state’s development. By supporting initiatives like this, we aim to promote our talented filmmakers and artists while showcasing technology’s immense potential in storytelling,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
Makemation explores the combination of artificial intelligence and real life, tackling themes such as STEM education, financial literacy, digital skills, and gender equality.
Producer Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji described the film as a solid attempt to inspire young Nigerians to look beyond just consuming technology to actively using technology to things, making judicious use of tech
“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,” she said.
The movie’s cast includes Richard Mofe-Damijo, Tony Umez, Shaffy Bello, Ibrahim Chatta, Toyin Afolayan, and Ali Nuhu. It blends research, pop culture, and high-stakes storytelling with AI-driven themes.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, highlighted the state government’s sustained moves to empower creatives over the past six years.
She pointed out that that nearly 20,000 young Nigerians have received training in filmmaking, content creation, and other creative fields through partnerships with institutions such as EbonyLife Academy, Gidi Creatives, AMA Creative Academy, and Delyork Academy.
Beyond skills development, Benson – Awoyinka said the government has provided financial support to filmmakers, ensuring that Nollywood productions can compete on the global stage. “By investing in local storytelling, we ensure our narratives reach global audiences while creating jobs within the industry,” she stated.
The Lagos state Commissioner for Tourism Arts and Culture also revealed Lagos’ movement into digital innovation, pointing to a recent visit to San Francisco to engage with tech entrepreneur Ghazi Shami. “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.
Managing director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu, who is a big part of the film and also commended the Lagos State government’s support for the industry. “As part of the cast, I am excited about this project. The governor’s support is commendable. We now need the media’s backing to create buzz around this innovation,” he said.
In a panel session, Microsoft’s Country Manager, Olatomiwa Williams, stressed the importance of building young Nigerians with responsible AI skills and called for collaborative efforts between the government, tech hubs, schools, and private organisations to drive AI education. “This initiative is inspiring. With government support, we must focus on educating Nigerians on responsible AI use,” she stated.
Also contributing to the panel , Oluwadamilare Art Alade, co-founder of Livespot360, highlighted AI’s part in preserving African culture and history. He emphasised that technological innovation should be harnessed not only for entertainment but also for cultural preservation.
With Nigeria growing in digital innovation and the creative economy, this film will help bolster the country’s growing influence in both sectors.
With support from the Lagos State government, tech giants, and industry veterans, Makemation is expected to bring in new conversations around AI, digital transformation, and the future of Nollywood on the global stage.