Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has launched Africa’s first Artificial Intelligence-themed feature film, Makemation.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Marina, Lagos, on Sunday, the governor announced that the film, produced by human development expert Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, will premiere in cinemas across Nigeria over the Easter weekend, on 18 April.
“We have consistently prioritised the growth of our creative industry and recognise that fostering creativity and innovation is essential for our state’s development.
“By supporting initiatives like this, we aim to advance the work of our talented filmmakers and artists while demonstrating the vast potential of technology in storytelling. Together, we are building a dynamic creative ecosystem that not only entertains but also drives economic growth and positions Lagos as a leading hub for the arts in Africa,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
Directed by Michael Akinrogunde, the AI-driven film features an impressive cast, including Nollywood icons Richard Mofe-Damijo, Tony Umez, Shaffy Bello, Ibrahim Chatta, Toyin Afolayan, and Ali Nuhu.
Makemation is a coming-of-age drama following the journey of a young girl from a low-income community in Lagos as she navigates the intersection of human experience and artificial intelligence.
The film explores how young Africans, particularly girls, are leveraging AI and technology to tackle the continent’s challenges, underscoring AI’s transformative role in the fourth industrial revolution.
At the unveiling, producer Akerele-Ogunsiji stressed that the film delves into critical themes such as STEM education, digital skills, financial literacy, and gender equality.
“Makemation showcases the tangible impact of AI. Viewers will see young people designing bras that detect breast cancer. We must move beyond simply consuming innovation and start creating our own,” she stated.
Bringing her vision to life, Ms Akerele-Ogunsiji revealed that Makemation was developed with a strong focus on young talent.
“Putting together an outstanding crew of young people in their 20s and 30s was a challenge, but I deliberately sought them out and gave them creative autonomy over the process. You can’t address today’s challenges with yesterday’s knowledge, so it was vital to place these young people at the heart of this film,” she said.
The producer further disclosed that AI played a significant role in the film’s production.
“We used MetaGPT for script development. AI is integrated into various aspects of the film, blending generative AI with live action. We want to illustrate that technology should enhance humanity, not replace creativity. This is just the beginning. I hope this film becomes a defining creative work that opens the minds of young Nigerians and Africans to the possibilities of technology,” she explained.
Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, reaffirmed the government’s investment in the creative sector.
She noted that nearly 20,000 young Nigerians have been trained in filmmaking, content creation, and other creative disciplines through partnerships with institutions such as EbonyLife Academy, Gidi Creatives, AMA Creative Academy, and Delyork Academy.
“As part of our commitment to elevating Nigeria’s film industry, we have provided grants to filmmakers to support the production of high-quality films that can compete on the global stage,” she added.
Makemation blends pop culture with cutting-edge AI research. Ahead of its April release, the film will premiere in Lagos before expanding to cinemas across Africa, the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East in May.
