Dr Adun Okupe, Executive Director at The Sahara Centre, (TSC), a not-for-profit working to amplify the role of the creative industries as change agents to build a better Nigerian society, tells Fadekemi Ajakaiye she firmly believes that while divine assistance is valuable, we as citizens also bear the responsibility to actively contribute to the positive changes we aspire to see in our environment

Tell us about the lab programme and why it was paused and when

The inspiration for the Lantern Lab Series stemmed from my observation of a recurring pattern: people readily voiced their grievances about our challenges, yet when the time came to discuss solutions, they often fell silent. Frequently, the phrase “God will help us” was expressed, or that it was left to “the government’, but I firmly believe that while divine assistance is valuable, we as citizens also bear the responsibility to actively contribute to the positive changes we aspire to see in our environment. The Lantern Labs is a dynamic programme strategically designed to empower the creative and tourism industries with vital critical thinking and design thinking skills to identify, analyse and address the challenges they encounter, both in their professional and personal lives, while charting a course towards success. Participants will gain the expertise needed to foster collaboration, facilitate negotiations, and engage effectively with relevant stakeholders, ultimately translating their ideas into tangible and impactful results that will shape the future narratives for Nigeria. Small wins lead to bigger successes. As participants become adept at accurately identifying and effectively addressing challenges, they transform into innovative agents of change. Our comprehensive 4-part workshop programme is complemented by follow-on virtual expert mentorship sessions, for three months where mentors collaborate with participants both one-on-one and in group settings. Through these sessions, participants gain direct access to finance, legal and creative industry leaders who can provide invaluable insights into their careers and businesses, assisting them in making informed decisions on topics ranging from intellectual property to contract negotiations and networking. Unlike workshops that offer quick one- or two-day sessions with limited lasting impact, our programme stands out due to its robust follow-up process, ensuring the consolidation of acquired knowledge. Moreover, our extensive roster of expert facilitators and mentors sets our programme apart. We are actively expanding our Lantern capabilities across various fronts, commencing with Lagos and with plans to extend our reach to other Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, Enugu, and Jos. The programme underwent a temporary hiatus amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that the initial workshops required in-person participation, we suspended our activities due to the uncertainties prevailing at that time. Instead, we redirected our efforts towards supporting the creative industries through various interventions and projects, encompassing financial assistance, employment and labor market assessments, as well as policy and advocacy initiatives, both during and immediately after the lockdown. In 2021, we initiated a reevaluation process, refined our curriculum and based on the findings from our pilot workshops; we stand fully prepared to recommence the comprehensive program with renewed vigor and improved offerings.

Who are your targets? Define the creative industries

Our target audience are individuals, aged 18 to 35 year olds who are actively engaged in the creative and tourism sectors. We recognize the symbiotic relationship between a dynamic creative industry and a thriving tourism sector. We hope our objectives resonate with university students and professionals who are passionate about the creative industry. The creative industries include: advertising, performing arts, fashion, electronic publishing, video, arts and craft, computer games, photography, design, film, architecture, music, TV and radio, publishing, as well as the intersection of these sectors such as research and development, software development.

What are the expected outcomes in terms of societal change?

The programme aims to instill in participants a sense of responsibility together with the capability to address challenges strategically and catalytically. Participants will be armed with the necessary tools to create impactful work across various mediums within the spheres of their work, that raises awareness among Nigerians about critical social issues and underscores the significance of collective efforts for the greater good. Our underlying philosophy is that complex problems necessitate solutions that address root cause issues. Consequently, we envision a scenario where a broader spectrum of young Nigerians is empowered to identify and collaboratively tackle a myriad of issues in their surroundings, primarily through the lens of the work that they do. This is what makes social change sustainable.

What specific benefits can stakeholders anticipate?

Stakeholders can expect to witness the creative industries exerting a form of soft power that can be effectively harnessed to cultivate a sense of community and identity within Nigerian society.

Tell us about yourself and why you’re devoting time and resources to this programme

I’m a tourism development processional, and my two decades of practitioner, research, and teaching experience within and beyond the continent have illuminated the critical significance of the social dimension of sustainability in achieving lasting and meaningful results. A sustainable tourism industry must have a strong foundation. For the West Africa subregion, our cultural heritage stands as a key resource to differentiate our offerings within the ever-evolving global tourism market. This realisation inspired me to explore ways to support and amplify the efforts of the creative industries while crafting the necessary narrative. This led to the establishment of The Sahara Centre, a not-for-profit organisation committed to fostering greater social cohesion in Nigeria, through the power of the creative industries. More of us need to drive change and the soft power of the creative and tourism industries can contribute to the change we seek, the change we need. Our approach centers on empowering and enlightening individuals, providing them with multiple “lanterns” of knowledge. This project is undoubtedly ambitious, but the overwhelming support from our facilitators, mentors and supporters underscores that its time has come. In collaboration with a select group of private backers, I am committing my resources to this mission because I recognize that merely voicing concerns is insufficient; we must also take tangible actions to drive meaningful change. As for the financial commitment required from participants for the Lantern Lab, we offer the program at a subsidised fee of N100,000. This is for a 4-part workshop programme and a follow-up three months of virtual sessions. We extend support to individuals whom we identify as qualified for the program but may face financial constraints. For this year’s cohort, we have available a full scholarship and some part scholarships to applicants for the programme. We invite organisations to encourage their people to apply, and individuals can also apply directly. We are open to receiving support to ensure that Lantern Lab can meet its desired objectives. to send in come together to work with us towards this ambitious, but ultimately impactful objective to lighten the path for change in Nigeria. Together ,we can go further in our work to truly transform Nigeria.