Nigerian animators blend folklore, humor and digital tools to build a vibrant industry

Nigerian animation is evolving from early NTA jingles and stop-motion ads to a global force, with creators like Somto Ajuluchukwu, Erem Emeka Nehemiah, and Okekwuo Praise building worlds rooted in myth, memory, and mischief. The industry's pioneering years (mid-1990s to late-2010s) saw studios produce animations for educational programs and adverts, including UNICEF's 1996 film Sara's Choice and NTA's A.M. Express (2002). The 2010s brought internet-driven independent creators, led by House of Ajebo, whose characters like Tegwolo have amassed over a billion views and nearly four million followers. In 2024, Disney premiered Iwájú, a six-part miniseries set in futuristic Lagos, co-created with Kugali Media, followed by Iyanu, an animated series by Roye Okupe in partnership with Cartoon Network and HBO Max. VXanimation, founded by Somto Ajuluchukwu, brands its genre as Spirit Fiction, blending spirituality, culture, and folklore; its project Land of Gods follows a Nigerian-American girl transported to a mythological Yoruba world, while Ojuju features a masquerade awakened after 200 years. Okekwuo Praise (praiztoons) creates comedy animations on TikTok, using FlipaClip for frame-by-frame 2D animation, balancing his work with economics studies at the University of Nigeria. Despite challenges like unstable electricity and small budgets, the industry thrives on global visibility and institutional backing.