In an effort to empower young people and consolidate Nigeria’s creative economy, Aiye-ko-ooto has hosted a free Storytelling Masterclass Workshop for Creative Youth Entrepreneurs. The event, which began on April 18, 2026, at Freedom Park,ends today, April 25, 2026.

This masterclass is Aiye-ko-ooto’s latest addition to a series of other creative writing workshops held earlier in the year. It aims to educate emerging storytellers in the creative industry while also serving as a springboard for their creative writing careers.

The masterclass began with instructive interactive lectures on framing stories and characters. The participants were engaged in team activities to reinforce the lessons. Participants were also instructed on how to build a story frame and develop story ideas. The lectures were structured such that attendees participated in hands-on activities, which helped in honing their creative writing skills.

The masterclass was facilitated by seasoned Nigerian–American playwright, poet and publisher, Cash Onadele also dubbed Aiye-ko-ooto. Onadele, a bestselling author, boasts a substantial body of published works (118+ published).

Speaking on what spurred him to undertake the initiative, Onadele stated three reasons. He said: “ First is about giving back. Second is that I read a 71-page document called Renewed Hope for Nigerian youth and I thought we need to start doing something about it. And the third thing is that there is a new department at the federal level now in the arts and culture ministry, which is called the Creative Economy Department. And I think there are certain things that make a shift, a dynamic shift in that industry very necessary.”

“The next oil is the creative economy according to Onadele. He explained that the initiative is geared towards impacting the youth with knowledge and impacting then to become creative youth entrepreneurs,” he surmised.
Speaking on the opportunities available for participants of the workshop, he said that the participants are assisted in the publishing of their books while adding that they are also connected to magazine outlets. He added that participants are referred to employers looking for writers.

Onadele referenced the upcoming Wole Soyinka Tribute in July, saying that the emerging writers will be given an opportunity to showcase their works.

Despite these opportunities, Onadele lamented that there could be more opportunities if there were more funding.

“We’re looking for any sponsor that would give anything to support this adventure, this opportunity. We’re looking to the federal government too if they can help us because that would actually let many private organisations join us and say, look, if the federal supports you or the state supports you, here is our own contribution to that. We’d like to align with that,” he said.

According to Aiye-ko-ooto, his organisation has sent proposals to the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Arts Culture and Creative Economy (FMACCE) which have yielded no results.

Business Day Columnist, Gnome Amawhe, addressed the participants, advising that they get the best out of their creative writing process when they are inspired.

“So the best way to get the best out of your creative writing process is when something truly inspires you. And for you to be able to come up with a masterpiece on something that inspires you, the story must have built up inside of you. Before we put pen to paper, the story is already running in you, such that it fights you,” said Amawhe.

One of the participants, Emeka Akinsola, expressed happiness at the initiative saying the first day of the initiative impacted him.

Speaking on its impact, he said the masterclass has given him more insight into creative writing. He said he learned, unlearned and relearned.

Another participant, Afolakemi Deborah explained that she learned about the depths of storytelling. “I learned about how to deal with my ideas, putting them together, and making them a meaningful story,” she stated.

She added that the first day was an impactful day. “I am grateful I am here. The impact the initiative has on me personally is that it helps me think outside the box,” said Afolakemi.