To mark International Women’s Day 2026, MMELI Arts Foundation in collaboration with Alliance Française de Lagos convened women writers and creatives in Ikoyi for an intensive storytelling workshop themed Women, Words and Wealth.
The programme focused on strengthening participants’ creative identity, developing authentic voices, and exploring publishing pathways through practical sessions led by notable facilitators including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Phoenix Ezendu, and Nina Anyianuka.
Speaking at the event, Mofe-Damijo, who chairs the foundation, emphasized the need to move African storytelling from potential to global influence through structured support systems. Also addressing participants, Victor Mark-Onyegbu highlighted the power of narratives in shaping perceptions about Africa and urged creatives to tell authentic, grounded stories.
Founded by Anyianuka, the foundation reiterated its commitment to equipping women with professional tools to transition from personal expression to global authorship. Participants described the workshop as impactful, noting that it provided both a safe creative space and practical frameworks for building sustainable careers.
The initiative was supported by partners including Nestlé Nigeria, Rite Foods, Alliance Française Lagos, and Africa No Filter, with organisers promising more opportunities for creatives in the coming weeks.
