This year, I had the chance to attend Atinuda 5.0 for the first time. It was also my first major event in Lagos since returning home after six years, and it felt like a fitting reintroduction to the city’s creative pulse: warm, bold, intelligently curated, and every bit as ambitious as the Lagos I left behind.
Lagos once again affirmed its place as the continent’s creative capital at Atinuda 2025, the city’s signature events and innovation gathering founded by Ayiri Oladunmoye, one of Nigeria’s foremost experience architects. With the theme “From Local to Global: Creative Transformation,” this year’s edition explored how African creators are redefining excellence and sustainability through authenticity, storytelling, and purpose.
This was my third time experiencing Ayiri’s excellence. The first was in December 2024, during Stephanie Busari’s “25 Years in Journalism” celebration, which I was scheduled to host but couldn’t due to an emergency that prevented me from flying in from Dubai. I still worked closely with her team virtually, and the production was flawless. The second was in March 2025 at the launch of “Her Story: Taking Root, Sparking Change,” the collaborative book project by Stephanie Busari and I, chronicling over forty women from across the world who are redefining leadership, resilience, and representation. On both occasions, Ayiri and her team at Oaken delivered experiences that blew our minds, setting a gold standard for creative precision, emotional connection, and storytelling excellence that has become her unmistakable signature.
Setting the Stage for Global Standards
Atinuda 2025 was an immersive experience rather than a traditional conference. Through panels, exhibitions, and live showcases, attendees explored how design, storytelling, and technology are converging to shape Africa’s creative industries.
Ayiri’s meticulous approach to event production was evident in every detail, from the visual aesthetics to the seamless organisation. Her commitment to excellence has long made Atinuda a benchmark for how events can merge creativity with strategic value.
One of the standout moments came when Lincoln Alexander, founder of Flour House Cakes & Co. and an award-winning bespoke cake designer, made an unforgettable entrance to his keynote session. Singing Bob Marley’s “One Love,” he encouraged the audience to join in, filling the hall with warmth and energy before beginning his talk titled “The Sweet Spot: How Passion Businesses Scale Globally.” His presentation reminded attendees that passion, when paired with process and purpose, can transcend borders.
The Visual Storytelling Panel
Another major highlight was the visually captivating session titled “Visual Storytelling: Using African Aesthetics to Stand Out in a Global Content Landscape.” Moderated by award-winning journalist Stephanie Busari, the panel brought together a powerhouse lineup including Juliet Ibrahim, Stella Fubara, Seyi Olusanya, TY Bello, and Tokunbo George-Taylor.
The discussion traced their journeys across filmmaking, photography, events, and brand storytelling, exploring how Africa’s creative expression continues to redefine global standards. TY Bello, appearing without her signature big hair, delivered one of the session’s most memorable insights: “Authenticity is not repetition but finding what is authentically ours and shaping it for the world.” She added that Africa is in a fluid and interconnected space, where “the walls that divided us no longer stand.”
Juliet Ibrahim emphasized collaboration and access, urging creatives to build audiences locally while producing work that travels globally. Stephanie Busari guided the conversation with her characteristic precision, highlighting the importance of partnership and shared narratives across disciplines.
Technology, Leadership, and the Future
The conversation around Africa’s creative evolution also extended into technology and leadership. In a session featuring Justin Irabor and Abasiama Idaresit of Wild Fusion, the fireside chat explored AI and Africa’s Digital Futures, examining tools, trends, and how the continent can actively shape the next phase of digital innovation. I was particularly engaged and contributed to this panel as an AI Product developer and enthusiast.
Equally engaging was the Innovative Leadership for Driving Business Success panel, where Oluwatobi Ajayi, the CEO of Nord Motors, one of the event sponsors, shared his story of starting his career at Mercedes-Benz and leading a proudly Nigerian automobile company into the era of sustainable design. Claudia Lumor, founder of Glitz Africa, spoke on building creative ecosystems that empower women and youth across industries.
Building with Purpose: Passion, Resilience, and Staying Power
The session titled “Building with Purpose” brought together Salem King, IBQuake, Adaora Lumina, and Chef Obehi for one of the most heartfelt conversations of the event.
Salem King shared his journey as a digital creator, reflecting on how his parents once questioned his choice until they saw him appear on Channels TV. “My dad asked what they called me for, and I told him I was invited as a content creator,” he said. “Sometimes, you have to keep working until recognition meets you.” He reminded younger creatives that validation may come late and that Gen Zs must embrace the idea of proving themselves repeatedly. “Even after you’ve proven yourself among your peers, you’ll have to prove yourself all over again,” he noted.
IBQuake, reflecting on her journey in spoken word since 2014, described the evolution of her craft and the reward of persistence. “People pay for excellence, years of commitment, diligence, and skill,” she said. “That’s one of the privileges I enjoy today.” She spoke about training, mastery, and staying authentic. “When I write, I think of things that feel close to us from SpongeBob to ewa agoyin because people connect to what is real.” She encouraged young poets to embrace their Nigerian identity rather than mimic foreign accents, reminding them that spoken word thrives on intuition, rawness, and truth.
Adaora Lumina delivered a moving reflection on resilience and intentionality. “Start with what’s in your hand but build with what’s in your heart,” she said. “Staying power is greater than ideas. The people who succeed are those who stay when others fall away.” She urged entrepreneurs to build with purpose, grounding their work in meaning and mission. “The future will belong to brands with soul,” she declared. “People crave connection. Make them feel something. Time is the greatest storyteller. Just because it’s not working in one season doesn’t mean it won’t. Stay in the game.”
Chef Obehi rounded off the conversation with insights from her culinary journey. “To think you are ‘there’ is to start declining,” she said. “I read, learn, and build constantly. Excellence is consistency, and everything I do must carry my heart and soul.” She spoke of creating spaces where people don’t just see her work but feel her essence.
Empowering the Next Generation
A major highlight of the 2025 edition was the Spark the Future Innovation Challenge, powered by Nord Motors. The initiative will reward one outstanding entrepreneur with a brand-new Nord Electric Vehicle for demonstrating creativity that integrates sustainability and technology.
According to Ayiri, the project aligns with her vision of equipping Africa’s next generation of event professionals and entrepreneurs. “It’s not just about talent,” she said. “It’s about discipline, excellence, and building systems that can compete anywhere in the world.”
Lagos as Africa’s Creative Capital
Lagos has earned a reputation for being fast, bold, and endlessly inventive, and Atinuda 2025 captured that spirit perfectly. From the setup to the discussions, it reflected a city in motion, balancing cultural depth with modern sophistication.
Government was not left out: Sam Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff of Lagos State; Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of Health Services & Environment for FCT; and Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka(ably represented), all participated meaningfully in the summit.
Under Ayiri’s leadership, Atinuda has become one of the most important gatherings in Nigeria’s creative calendar, a space where corporate decision-makers, event professionals, and young innovators exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and celebrate creativity as an economic force.
