Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has introduced Makemation, the first-ever artificial intelligence-driven feature film in Africa.
Produced by Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, the groundbreaking film is set for a theatrical debut on April 18 in Lagos. Speaking at the unveiling event, Sanwo-Olu praised the film’s creative team and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to boosting innovation in the entertainment industry.
“This production highlights the power of collaboration,” he said. “Our role as a government is to create platforms that enable creatives to excel.”
Plot: AI Meets Hope & Innovation
Makemation is more than just entertainment—it’s an inspiring tale of resilience, technology, and innovation. The film follows a young girl from a low-income community in Lagos who, despite life’s challenges, harnesses the power of AI to create solutions for real-world problems.
“Viewers will see young people designing AI-powered bras capable of detecting breast cancer,” said Akerele-Ogunsiji. “We must move beyond consuming technology to creating our own innovations.”
With themes of STEM education, financial literacy, and gender equality, Makemationshowcases how African youth—especially young girls—are using AI to tackle major societal issues.
A Star-Studded Cast & AI-Infused Storytelling
The film features some of Nollywood’s finest, including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Tony Umez, Shaffy Bello, Ibrahim Chatta, Toyin Afolayan, and Ali Nuhu.
Lagos’ Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, highlighted the state’s efforts to empower the creative industry, including training nearly 20,000 young Nigerians in filmmaking and digital content creation.
Microsoft Nigeria’s Olatomiwa Williams also emphasized the importance of AI education, while Oluwadamilare Art Alade of Livespot360 called Makemation a bold step in preserving Africa’s cultural heritage through technology.
A Film That Sparks a Movement
More than just a movie, Makemation is a statement on Africa’s tech-driven future. It blends pop culture, AI, and storytelling into a high-energy, thought-provoking drama aimed at sparking conversations about the future of innovation on the continent.
With Lagos positioning itself as a global creative hub, this film is a testament to Nigeria’s growing influence in tech-driven storytelling.
