A new cohort of emerging Nigerian screenwriters has been shortlisted for Film Lab Africa Phase 2, a flagship film accelerator backed by the British Council, signalling a deeper push to professionalise Africa’s fast-growing creative economy and unlock commercial pathways for local storytelling.
The initiative forms part of the Council’s Creative Growth programme and is designed to move early-stage ideas from concept to market through structured development, mentorship and industry collaboration.
More than a selection exercise, the programme represents a pipeline-building intervention in a sector increasingly viewed as a driver of jobs, exports and cultural influence.
“Every story begins somewhere,” said Harry Kesiena, Programme Lead at the British Council Nigeria. “For many writers across Nigeria, that beginning was an idea, a voice, a perspective waiting to be heard.”
From concept to commercial pipeline
The shortlisted writers drawn from hundreds of submissions nationwide will enter a multi-phase accelerator focused on developing commercially viable scripted content, particularly episodic television formats.
The programme’s structure reflects a growing shift in Africa’s creative industries from informal production to structured, market-oriented development pipelines.
Through Film Lab Africa, participants will undergo intensive training, mentorship and collaboration with producers and industry professionals, with a clear emphasis on narrative strength, production readiness and market alignment.
“The focus is clear. Strong stories. Clear structure. A pathway from concept to screen and into the market,” Kesiena added.
A six-stage model to build industry-ready talent
Film Lab Africa Phase 2 is structured as a six-phase delivery model designed to move talent through the value chain systematically:
- Scriptwriters’ Online Training: 30 writers selected via open call will receive virtual training in storytelling, character development, series formatting, pitching and sustainability.
- Writers’ Residency & Story Lab: 15 writers will be shortlisted for an in-person residency in Lagos or London, engaging in intensive mentorship with UK and Nigerian experts.
- Filmmakers’ Online Training: 60 directors and producers will be trained in episodic content creation, pitching and inclusive storytelling.
- Production & Grant Support: Selected projects will receive funding to produce pilot episodes, alongside script-to-screen guidance.
- Showcasing & Distribution: Final outputs will be presented locally and internationally through screenings, festivals and market pitching.
- Industry Engagement & Advocacy: Additional platforms, including film clubs and creative forums, will support ecosystem development.
The programme is delivered through a Nigerian-led consortium in partnership with a UK organisation, ensuring local ownership while maintaining international standards.
Spotlight on new voices
The newly announced cohort reflects a broad cross-section of Nigeria’s creative talent pipeline, spanning all regions and backgrounds. Selected writers include:
Mololuwake Oke, El-Shaddai Eromosele Agbon, Kuchi Chris, Abdullahi Sarki Shehu, Frederick Obiora Anyagbunam, Fisayo Ojabodu, Sebastian Ukwa, Emy Josephs, Praise Okeoghene Vandeh, Victor Eylke, Agatha Dowuese Akaahar, Eminem Azigbe, Sally Kenneth Dadzie, Deji Riley Omolaja, Adejo Edebo Emmanuel, Idongesit Lawrence Udoh, Sharon Mammah Odey, Setemi Ayodele Oni, Thecla Uzozie, Aghogho Tega Onobrakepya, Charles Kelechi Ugwuzo, Dawn Nteim-Rex, Emmanuel Senu Makai, OlaDimeji Ogunranti, Oghenejiruona Elohor Okobi, Odaro Eguavoen, Nengi Ibim Diri, Celestina Aleobua, Kemi Osiyi, Don Ekama, Samira Aminu Ghadaffi, Ojoi Igajah and Abdullahi Bello.
Nigeria’s film industry often referred to as Nollywood, is already one of the largest in the world by volume, producing thousands of films annually and contributing significantly to GDP. Yet despite its scale, the sector has historically struggled with fragmented financing, limited distribution infrastructure and inconsistent production quality.
Programmes such as Film Lab Africa aim to close those gaps by focusing on capacity building, standardisation and global competitiveness.
The 2026 edition, themed “Story Lab”, places particular emphasis on episodic storytelling for television and streaming platforms, formats that are increasingly driving global demand for African content.
Inclusion, sustainability and global reach
Film Lab Africa Phase 2 also embeds broader strategic priorities, including gender inclusion, youth participation and support for underrepresented voices, alongside a focus on environmental storytelling aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
With national reach across all 36 states and provisions for persons with disabilities, the programme is positioning itself as a model for inclusive creative development.
Crucially, it also seeks to build cross-continental co-production pipelines between Nigeria and the UK, reflecting a growing trend of international collaboration in African content production.
Entrepreneurship beyond tech
While Africa’s startup narrative has been dominated by fintech and digital platforms, the rise of structured programmes in film and media signals a broader redefinition of entrepreneurship on the continent.
Creative entrepreneurs are increasingly being integrated into formal economic frameworks, with access to funding, training and global markets.
For Nigeria, where youth unemployment remains high, the creative economy offers a scalable pathway to job creation and export growth.
For the British Council and its partners, the initiative is less about individual success stories and more about building a sustainable pipeline of talent capable of competing globally.
“What comes next will require discipline, openness and the ability to shape ideas into work that can stand within the industry,” Kesiena said.
As the cohort begins its journey from script to screen, the stakes extend beyond storytelling.
They point to a broader transformation where African creativity is no longer peripheral, but central to the continent’s economic future.
