In a tale of ambition and collaboration, three friends from Whitesands School in Lekki, Nigeria, embarked on a journey that led to the creation of Kugali Media, a pan-African animation company. Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim, and Tolu Olowofoyeku, with dreams as big as the continent itself, set out to make their mark in the world of digital design and storytelling.
Their podcast, which delved into the world of visual effects and animation, caught the attention of Disney and Jennifer Lee, the chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Impressed by their passion and creativity, Disney partnered with Kugali Media to produce “Iwájú,” a groundbreaking sci-fi series set in Lagos.
With Disney’s backing, “Iwájú” has become more than just a series; it has spawned merchandise, a video game, and a documentary. The series, which features a fully Nigerian cast, aims to authentically portray the spirit of Lagos while exploring themes of class divide and societal challenges.
For the team at Kugali Media, the collaboration with Disney represents a new era of Afro-animation storytelling. While the industry may still have hurdles to overcome, the success of “Iwájú” signals a promising future for animated projects in Nigeria and beyond.
As they navigate this newfound fame and success, the team remains humble and hungry for more. Despite the accolades and attention, they see themselves as a startup with much more to achieve. The journey is far from over, but with Disney by their side, the sky’s the limit for Kugali Media and the future of African animation.
