TAFTA marks milestone with empowering graduation ceremony

DDM News

Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA) celebrated the artistic achievements of its latest graduating class on Friday, April 11, at the Terra Kulture Arena in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that the event, held under the theme “Celebrating Creative Transformations,” marked the third graduation ceremony since the academy was launched.

TAFTA, a project founded by renowned theatre director and producer Bolanle Austen-Peters, is a social transformation initiative established in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

Its goal is to bridge the skills gap and address gender imbalance within Nigeria’s creative industry, particularly in the technical fields of stage lighting, sound design, and animation.

Since its inception, TAFTA has been at the forefront of efforts to develop and promote creative talent across Nigeria.

The academy offers a variety of practical workshops, mentorship, and enterprise support, enabling young people to develop essential skills and gain valuable industry experience.

To date, over 30,000 young creatives have participated in the academy’s programs, with more than 19,000 of them securing jobs, freelance opportunities, and other career advancements in the entertainment sector.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Bolanle Austen-Peters expressed immense pride in the progress the academy has made.

“TAFTA, born from the legacy of Terra Kulture, is committed to upskilling young creatives in vital technical fields and fostering gender equality,” she said.

Austen-Peters also highlighted the increasing number of women who have made significant strides in technical areas once dominated by men.

“We call on organizations to support and celebrate these transformations,” she added, emphasizing the importance of greater gender representation within the industry.

The graduation ceremony also featured a keynote address by Rosy Fynn, the Mastercard Foundation’s Country Director for Nigeria.

Fynn spoke about the importance of investing in young people, particularly women, to shape the future of Nigeria’s creative economy.

She underscored the role that programs like TAFTA play in preparing the next generation of creative professionals.

The event also showcased some of the graduates’ work, which included short films, theatre performances, and social media content.

These projects demonstrated the diverse talents cultivated through the academy’s comprehensive training programs.

Graduates were awarded certificates for their hard work and dedication, with many sharing stories of how TAFTA had transformed their creative journeys.

One graduate, Adepegba Emmanuel, described her experience at TAFTA as a turning point in her career.

“TAFTA truly transformed my understanding of the creative industry and my writing career,” she said.

“The program gave me practical skills, boosted my confidence, and connected me with the right people, which led directly to my first role as a content writer.”

The ceremony was attended by several notable figures from the entertainment and cultural industries, including actress and media personality Oluwabamike Olawunmi (BamBam), actor Bimbo Manuel, and social media influencer Amanda Jaiyeola.

Also present was Olori Ameenah Matemilola, wife of Saka Matemilola, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

TAFTA continues to break new ground in creative education, empowering the next generation of Nigerian talent with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the global creative economy.

With its focus on technical education and gender equality, the academy remains an important force in shaping the future of Nigeria’s creative industries.

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