April 30, 2025, will go down in history as the night Nigeria’s corporate giants and brightest animation talents came together for something extraordinary. At the sleek, high-energy Pop-Landmark Centre in Victoria Island, the Youth in Animation and Post-Production Initiative (YAPPI) launched its Creative Fusion Lab—a first-of-its-kind monthly event designed to bridge the gap between high-net-worth industry leaders and Nigeria’s most innovative young creatives.

The atmosphere was electric. The mission? Simple but powerful: Showcase how animation and post-production skills can solve real-world business challenges while unlocking career-defining opportunities for YAPPIans.

And oh, did it deliver.

From the moment guests arrived, it was clear this wasn’t just another networking event. The YAPPI Creative Fusion Lab was designed to feel like an exclusive, immersive experience—part pitch session, part creative showcase, and part high-energy game night.

To break the ice, attendees dove into fast-paced game trivia, where teams of executives and YAPPIans competed in animation and pop culture challenges. Laughter filled the room as rival teams debated answers, proving that creativity thrives in collaboration.

Then came one of the most moving moments: a special showcase featuring Persons With Disabilities (PWDS), introduced by Dr. Mariam. She spoke passionately about breaking stereotypes in creative industries before spotlighting talents like:

Akinyemi Akinfe, a voice-over artist and management consultant whose rich, commanding voice has powered major ad campaigns.  Their stories weren’t just uplifting—they were a bold statement that Nigeria’s creative future must be inclusive, diverse, and unstoppable.

The heart of the day? Real-world business challenges, met with real-time creative solutions.

Major companies stepped up with problems they needed solved—fast.  Imperial Edtech (Group 1/2)—An educational technology company tasked YAPPIans with making learning fun and engaging for visual learners. The challenge?   Digitizing and simulating vocational skills (plumbing, carpentry, etc.) to transform how students absorb technical knowledge. 

Oaken Events (Group 3/4)—a premier event management firm that sought impeccable talent service solutions. Pushing YAPPIans to devise creative ways to elevate event experiences through animation and digital media. Elite Media Pro (Group 9/10)—An innovative broadcasting and media production demanded content that stands out, seeking inventive ways to leverage animation to enhance storytelling.

Each response, pitch deck, and some interesting ideas were developed in real-time, showcasing how their skills can drive tangible business value.

The success of this debut means one thing: We’re doing it again! And again!! And again!!!

Mark your calendars—every last Wednesday of the month, the YAPPI Creative Fusion Lab will return with:

🔥 New industry challenges (Think finance, healthcare, even agriculture!)
🔥 More mind-blowing talent showcases
🔥 Bigger opportunities for YAPPIans to land gigs, jobs, and startup funding

To every HNI, entrepreneur, or creative wondering if they should attend next time:
This is where Nigeria’s next big ideas are born.

Written By: Ada Nwabuilo

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