We interview Tony Abulu, an Nigerian filmmaker and CEO of Black Ivory Communications, whose extensive career spans over 30 years in film, publishing, and international marketing.

Abulu discusses his journey, from his storytelling roots inspired by his grandmother in Edo state to the business lessons learned from his uncle. Despite early societal expectations to pursue sciences, Tony followed his passion for the arts, leading him to launch a film career in the U.S. with African-themed productions like Back to Africa (1997), Doctor Bello (2012), and American Japa (2024).

Tony delves into the challenges and growth of the Nigerian film industry, recounting his path to self-distribution in the middle of piracy and limited cinema culture.

He shares his unique perspective on Afrocentric storytelling, urging more diversity in themes to fully reflect Nigeria’s cultural depth beyond popular Yoruba narratives.

Tony discusses the essential role of the Nigerian government in fostering the creative economy, citing the need for government-backed financial support to address barriers young filmmakers face, like high collateral requirements.

He critiques the millions allocated to Nigeria’s creative sector, expressing concern about its accessibility for grassroots creatives.

Tony’s vision is for a thriving industry powered by robust distribution and monetisation, with platforms like his upcoming Blaze Channel to reach the Nigerian diaspora and enhance economic opportunities for creatives.

This episode offers an inspiring journey through Abulu’s life, insights into the potential of Nigeria’s creative industry, and an earnest call for government and diaspora support to sustain its future.

In this episode, Izu Okafor, a filmmaker passionate about bringing authentic Nigerian stories to the screen, joins us. Izu shares his creative journey, explaining how he started producing and is now making strides toward directing, with an exciting upcoming Israeli-Nollywood project in the works. He talks about the balance between formal education and practical experience, sharing how self-education and guidance from mentors have shaped his career.

Izu dives into the challenges of the film industry, especially with streaming platforms acting as gatekeepers, and highlights the importance of grassroots storytelling that connects with Nigerian culture. He encourages young filmmakers to focus on telling authentic, community-driven stories rather than following mainstream trends, emphasising how these unique narratives resonate locally and globally.

Please tune in to hear more about Izu’s take on work-life balance, his future aspirations, and his insights on the evolving landscape of Nigerian cinema.

In this exciting episode of the Talking Tech With Creatives podcast, I welcome Bee Kapitan, an augmented reality (AR) expert and a creative technologist. Bee shares her fascinating journey from web design to becoming a leader in AR, virtual reality (VR), and XR (Extended Reality) development.

We dive deep into augmented reality, discussing its applications in storytelling and marketing and how authors can leverage AR to create immersive experiences for readers.

We discuss how AR can enhance creative projects, including animating book covers, creating interactive merchandise, and engaging readers through digital overlays on physical products. Bee also shares insights from the London Book Fair, her work in XR communities, and some great resources that will support and guide those interested in venturing into AR.

Whether you're curious about how to incorporate technology into your storytelling or you're fascinated by the future of AR and its possibilities, this episode is a must-listen.

Don't miss Bee's practical tips and inspiration for creatives ready to explore this digital frontier..

Join Stella Oni on the latest episode of "Talking Tech with Creatives" as she sits down with Gbenga Shokefun, a multi-talented Nigerian-American author, lawyer, and industrialist. Gbenga shares his fascinating journey from an influential creative family to his pivotal role in the Afrobeat genre and the founding of Question Mark Records. Discover his insights on the intersection of technology, creativity, and the transformative power of tech for emerging economies in Africa.

Gbenga delves into his passion for history and its importance for Nigerian youth, his innovative book "Adigun," and the need for leveraging AI and technology in African trade and business. He also opens up about his personal hobbies, including horse riding and polo, shedding light on the importance of balancing work and leisure. Tune in for a captivating conversation that explores the past, present, and future of Nigeria's creative and technological landscape.

In this compelling episode of “Talking Tech with Creative podcast ” host Stella Oni sits down with Yetunde Asika, a dynamic leader and advocate for social justice, to explore the transformative power of technology, law, and innovation across Africa. Yetunde, who wears many hats as a mother, social justice activist, and CEO of the African Leadership Council, shares her inspiring journey and insights on how AI and legal tech are reshaping the continent’s legal landscape. Yetunde discusses her work with the African Leadership Council, her passion for philanthropy, and her commitment to advancing democracy and equality. She also delves into her involvement with global human rights initiatives, including the George Floyd campaign and efforts to support communities affected by systemic injustices worldwide. The conversation also touches on the importance of mentorship, particularly in empowering women and fostering leadership. Yetunde emphasises the need for intentionality in creating inclusive spaces and the role of technology in democratising access to justice.

In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the world of marketing and self-publishing with the accomplished marketeer and self-published author, Wendy H Jones. Wendy shares her expert perspective on the most critical elements of successful marketing campaigns in today’s digital landscape, highlighting the importance of adaptability and creativity.

She also opens up about her journey as a self-published author, discussing the challenges she faced and the strategies she used to overcome them. Wendy reveals how her marketing expertise has been instrumental in promoting her books, offering practical examples of the tactics that have worked well for her.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the latest market trends that are shaping the future for authors and publishers, and Wendy provides actionable advice for aspiring authors considering the self-publishing route. She emphasises the significance of personal branding and shares tips on how authors can build and enhance their own brand.

The episode also touches on the tech and tools that have been crucial in Wendy’s marketing and self-publishing efforts, her methods for measuring success, and the content creation strategies that keep her audience engaged. Finally, Wendy gives us a sneak peek into her future plans, discussing upcoming projects and new directions she’s excited to explore.

This episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration for anyone interested in marketing, self-publishing, or both!

In this episode, we feature Charles, a serial entrepreneur dedicated to building tech capacity online. Charles is the founder of Dexude, a technology training platform, and the TechQuest STEM Academy. His work focuses on equipping people with essential digital skills, which he believes is crucial for Africa’s economic growth in the digital economy. Charles also serves as the Director of Innovation Support Network, furthering his impact in the tech industry.

Join us as we dive into his journey, explore his insights on technology’s role in economic development, and discuss his innovative approaches to digital education and support. This episode is packed with valuable quotes and ideas from Charles that highlight his contributions and vision for the future of tech in Africa.

In this episode of Talking Tech with Creatives, host Stella Oni interviews luxury business coach and strategist Elizabeth Solaru, an award-winning cake designer and expert in understanding the luxury market. Elizabeth shares her incredible journey from being a scientist and headhunter to becoming a renowned luxury cake designer, serving elite clients like billionaires and royalty. She discusses the importance of persistence, networking, and the power of personal branding in breaking into the luxury industry.

Elizabeth emphasises the critical role of technology in the luxury sector, from the use of AI and chatbots to predictive models that enhance customer experience. She provides valuable advice for small business owners and entrepreneurs on how to leverage free tools like Canva and generative AI to create strong, luxury brands even with limited resources. Elizabeth also touches on the significance of consistency, both in product quality and branding, and how this can elevate a brand to the luxury level.

Listeners will also gain insights into the legal aspects of branding, including intellectual property protection and data mining, as well as the emerging trends in automation and AI within the luxury industry. Elizabeth’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, curiosity, and strategic thinking in achieving success in both business and life.