Gidi Creative Centre Welcomes First Graduates

Iyke Bede

The inaugural class of Gidi Creative Centre (GCC), a collaborative initiative by Lagos State and The Temple Company, recently marked their graduation with a ceremony after completing a year-long program in partnership with the University of Lagos and the Henley Business School.

The program was set up to increase capacity in the creative sector through the training of 200 creatives in 10 different scopes including filmmaking, graphic design, fashion design, creative writing, audio engineering, production design and others. 

During the ceremony, Group Chief Executive, The Temple Company,  Idris  Olorunnimbe congratulated the graduates on their hard work, resilience, and creativity throughout the program which entailed an orientation week, physical classes with facilitators, masterclasses from experts, and a two-week internship with top leading creative agencies. 

Well attended, the ceremony welcomed key figures in both public and private sectors both physically and via virtual platforms, highlighting the support and recognition it has attained. Some of the high-profile guests include the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka; Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof Folashade Ogunsola; and Special Adviser, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe. 

Although absent, the Lagos State governor, Babjide Sanwo-Olu, in an official letter acknowledged how far the students would contribute to the creative sector.  

“This momentous occasion symbolises more than just the end of a chapter; it heralds the commencement of an exciting journey of innovation, storytelling, and significant contribution to the vibrant tapestry of our cultural heritage. The skills and knowledge you have garnered, courtesy of the nurturing environment at the Gidi Creative Center, are invaluable assets to our society, and a beacon of hope for the burgeoning creative industry in Lagos and beyond.” 

In a similar vein, Benson-Awoyinka emphasised their direct impact towards reshaping the tourism sector. 

“This partnership was built in the need to use the creative sector to expand the concept of tourism, as a whole, driving a shift from conventional models of heritage-based cultural tourism to new models of creative tourism that is centred on contemporary creativity, innovation, and fresh content,” she said. 

The graduates also shared inspiring stories of their journeys through the creative hub and the impact it has had on their creative agency. 

“I was caught between the japa syndrome and the labour market, then I came across the program,” valedictorian Oyedepo Adeola disclosed. “At first I thought it was going to be one of the regular ones, but it wasn’t. The entire experience has impacted me and my fellow ‘Gidizens.’  We will carry the lessons we have learned into the future. The entire program has not only given us hope that we are the future we want, but that we have a lot of space in the creative industry to thrive.”