Lagos, Nigeria – August 12, 2025 – 

The Youth in Animation & Post-Production Initiative (YAPPI), a strategic collaboration with the Del-York Creative Academy and the Mastercard Foundation, hosted its International Youth Day celebration, delivering a landmark event aptly themed “Creativity Unleashed: Youth, AI & The Future of Work.”

Held at the bustling Pop Landmark in Lagos, the event united a vibrant community of young creatives, industry leaders, and innovators to spotlight the role of African youth in shaping the future of the global digital economy. “We are thrilled to bring together young minds and industry leaders for a conversation that is more crucial than ever,” said Stella Fubara, Managing Director of Del-York Development Company. “This event is about you—the youth—your today and your tomorrow. It’s a celebration of your skills, an introduction to a new world where creativity meets transformative technologies like AI, unlocking incredible opportunities in the digital economy. You are the building blocks of your future.”

The day’s conversations were anchored by thought-provoking panel sessions that tackled urgent questions facing young animators today. Moderated by Vidal Juba, an international producer and TV director, the discussions drew insights from a distinguished lineup of experts, including Oluwakemi Odusanya, Disability Rights Advocate and World Bank Ambassador; Esther Kemi Gbadamosi, Founder and Creative Director of Radioxity Media; Bekeme Masade-Olowola, Chief Executive of CSR-in-Action Group; and Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa at Meta.

The first discussion, “The Impact of AI on the Creative Industry,” explored how artificial intelligence is transforming animation, post-production, and content creation. Panelists emphasized that AI is not a replacement for originality but a catalyst for enhancing workflows, measuring impact, expanding creative possibilities, and increasing global reach.

“Girl who create: From zero experience to earning shmoney,” the second session, delivered practical guidance for aspiring female professionals. Drawing on their experiences, speakers shared strategies for securing funding, building a personal brand, cultivating mentorship relationships, and leveraging global networks. The session provided attendees—particularly YAPPI trainees—with a clear understanding of industry expectations and actionable steps to advance their careers.

Beyond the discussions, the event’s energy soared during a live animation hackathon, where young talents collaborated in real time to create original animated works. The showcase highlighted both the technical expertise and storytelling flair cultivated through YAPPI’s training programs.

This year’s celebration reaffirmed YAPPI’s mission to provide African youth with free, world-class training in animation and post-production. Supported by the Del-York Creative Academy and the Mastercard Foundation, YAPPI is actively bridging the skills gap while empowering young creatives to become influential players in the continent’s animation industry.

As YAPPI marked its second consecutive International Youth Day celebration, the event stood as a testament to the organisation’s ongoing commitment to nurturing Africa’s creative workforce. Participants left inspired, better connected, and ready to embrace innovation and AI as tools to amplify their artistic voices.

Powered by Froala Editor