By Moyosore Salami
Founder of Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), Bolanle Austen-Peters, has urged young creatives to embrace creative transformation as a pathway to personal growth, economic empowerment, and societal impact.
Austen-Peters, who spoke at 2025 graduation ceremony of the institution, held on Friday in Lagos, emphasised that the true essence of the event was not just about certificates, but about unlocking potential, amplifying voices, and creating inclusive opportunities within Nigeria’s thriving creative economy.
She said over 30,000 people have graduated from the institution since inception, with the support of the Mastercard Foundation, which provides access to free education and creative training.
The founder noted that the journey for each graduate had been one of perseverance, creative exploration, and technical mastery across film, theatre, sound design, lighting, and storytelling.
“Every single person here and the 30,000 plus people that have graduated from the Terra Academy are all privileged because of the opportunity the MasterCard Foundation provides, we celebrate each of you because of your vision to apply, the resilience that you had to finish the creativity that you all put together.”
She highlighted the importance of theatre as a tool for empowerment and social commentary, urging the graduates to use their voices and skills to challenge injustice and uplift others.
In her keynote speech, Country Director of Mastercard Foundation, Rosy Fynn, emphasised the potential of Nigeria’s creative industry to drive economic transformation.
Fynn stressed the importance of inclusion in the creative space, particularly for young women and persons with disabilities, pointing out that initiatives like TAFTA are building pipelines of confident, skilled creatives who will shape and transform the industry.
She commended the academy for equipping students with more than technical skills, including self-confidence, problem-solving, and collaboration urging graduates to continue using their creativity as a tool for personal and social impact.
Veteran actor, Bimbo Manuel, also urged them to prioritise competence and integrity as they enter the industry. “Be so good they think of you first. Let your performance speak before your certificate. Have integrity; let people trust your word.”
On the sidelines of the event, actress and media personality, Bamike Olawunmi Adenibuyan, popularly known as Bambam, was unveiled as the new ambassador of TAFTA.
