In a bid to empower young people and strengthen Nigeria's creative economy, Aiye-ko-ooto has organized a free Storytelling Masterclass Workshop for Creative Youth Entrepreneurs. The event commenced on April 18, 2026, at Freedom Park and concludes today, April 25, 2026.
Empowering Emerging Storytellers
This masterclass is the latest in a series of creative writing workshops held earlier this year by Aiye-ko-ooto. It aims to educate emerging storytellers in the creative industry while serving as a launchpad for their writing careers. The workshop began with interactive lectures on framing stories and characters, followed by team activities to reinforce the lessons. Participants learned how to build story frames and develop ideas through hands-on exercises that honed their creative writing skills.
Facilitator and Vision
The masterclass was facilitated by seasoned Nigerian-American playwright, poet, and publisher Cash Onadele, also known as Aiye-ko-ooto. Onadele, a bestselling author with over 118 published works, shared three motivations for the initiative: giving back, responding to the Renewed Hope for Nigerian Youth document, and supporting the newly established Creative Economy Department at the federal level. He emphasized that the creative economy is the next oil and aims to equip youth with knowledge to become creative entrepreneurs.
Onadele highlighted opportunities for participants, including assistance in publishing their books, connections to magazine outlets, and referrals to employers seeking writers. He also mentioned the upcoming Wole Soyinka Tribute in July, where emerging writers can showcase their work. However, he lamented the lack of funding, calling for sponsors and government support to expand the initiative.
Expert Advice and Participant Feedback
Business Day columnist Gnome Amawhe advised participants to draw inspiration for their writing. He stated that the best creative works emerge when a story builds up inside the writer, compelling them to put pen to paper.
Participant Emeka Akinsola expressed gratitude for the masterclass, noting that the first day gave him deeper insights into creative writing. He said he learned, unlearned, and relearned valuable techniques. Another participant, Afolakemi Deborah, shared that she learned about the depths of storytelling and how to organize her ideas into meaningful narratives. She added that the initiative helped her think outside the box.
