Our Guest Speakers...

At THE NEXUS FESTIVAL, our guest speakers, facilitators, panellists, judges, and mentors are carefully selected leaders in their fields, chosen for their expertise, integrity, and alignment with the festival’s vision. Each contributor brings valuable insight, experience, and inspiration to support the growth of emerging creatives and enrich the overall festival experience.

We are committed to creating a high-quality, supportive, and empowering environment for all participants of THE NEXUS COMPETITION. Visitors can expect thoughtful programming, meaningful engagement, and access to professionals who are passionate about sharing knowledge and helping the next generation thrive.

Ceri Barnes

Ceri is an award-winning producer, multiple BAFTA and International Emmy nominee, who has worked with most of the major broadcasters throughout her career. She came to animation from natural history and VFX, having made films featuring high-end creature animation and falling in love with telling animated stories. Her preoccupation with connection to our planet and the creatures of our world is barely disguised in her animation work.

Her series ‘Floogals’ saw her adding owls, stick insects, spiders, snails, beetles… Her last series for Disney featured a little African girl with an elephant for a best friend.

Ceri’s experience producing pioneering animated series with South Africa’s Triggerfish, including projects for Disney and Netflix that engaged emerging talent from Nigeria and across the continent, demonstrates both the depth of African creative potential and the importance of meaningful pathways into training, production and global audiences.

She lives in Brighton with her husband Martin, two sons, and their little cheeky dog. She tries to swim most days, believing the water has magical creative powers.

Dr Bolaji Ogunwo

Dr Bolaji Ogunwo is a Professor of Visual Art, a prolific painter, and an academic. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 2000 in Fine & Applied Art from the University of Benin, Edo State, specialising in painting. He earned a Master's degree from the Department of Creative Arts at the University of Lagos in 2006, and a PhD (Painting) from Delta State University, Abraka, in 2020.

Over his three-decade studio practice, he has participated in more than 60 local and international art exhibitions. He has 8 solo exhibitions to his credit, 5 in Nigeria, 2 in the United Kingdom, and one in the United States of America. His works are held in notable collections worldwide.

He has facilitated numerous art workshops for GIZ in Lagos and Abuja, at Nike Art Gallery in Lagos and in Houston, TX, and at other institutions. During the Spring Semester of 2026, Ogunwo was a visiting Professor at Missouri State University, Springfield, USA. He is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Fine and Applied Art at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria.

A seasoned conference speaker and Senior Pastor in RCCG, he is married to Olufunmilayo and has 2 boys, Oluwanifemi and Oluwadarasimi.

Ighiwiyisi Jacobs

Ighiwiyisi Jacobs is a creative director and entrepreneur with a legal background from the University of Lagos and Queens’ College, Lagos. Drawing on a rich family legacy in the Nigerian art world, she transitioned from legal training to a career defined by design, innovation, and artistic leadership.

She began her entrepreneurial journey in 2006 with I. Jacobs Bella Casa, an interior design firm, and later expanded into wedding set design through Hermosa Boda in 2014. Her work evolved into commercial visual merchandising and broader spatial design solutions, reflecting a versatile approach to creative development.

In 2017, she founded The Hermosa Design Company, which later evolved into Hermosa Galleria, also known as Gallery At The Landmark, a space dedicated to curating and exhibiting works of art. Over the past decade, she has established herself across artistic and technology-driven spaces, and her appointment as Creative Director at Ilera Health further underscores her breadth of leadership and commitment to excellence.

Ighiwiyisi’s creative vision is rooted in a strong belief in Africa’s global potential and the power of its people. She is driven to create work that meets leading international standards while celebrating the brilliance, resilience, and excellence of African creativity

Ashab Martin

Ashab Martin is a committed visual development and concept artist with over 15 years’ professional experience, known for collaborating with diverse teams to realise ambitious projects. He specialises in visual development, concept art, digital sculpting and mentoring, and serves as a Lecturer and module leader in Games Art and Design at the University of Brighton, supporting the next generation of game artists and designers.

He was Art Director at Black Sail Games, a Warsaw-based studio founded by international industry veterans, where he helped shape visually rich, story-driven game worlds. His creative journey spans more than two decades, from founding a street art and graffiti crew to serving as Art Director for collectives producing acclaimed films and music videos.

Throughout his career, Ashab has collaborated with major partners such as HBO, Warner Brothers, MediaTonic and Big Point, exploring a wide spectrum of visual storytelling and interactive media. He prides himself on a constant willingness to explore new ideas and approaches, grounded in a fine art background and a hands-on curiosity about how images shape experience.

Ashab still keeps a sketchbook close at hand, using drawing to question and observe the environment around him. This ongoing practice reflects his belief that strong visual work grows from continuous experimentation, close observation and openness to new creative paths..

Adekunle Odutayo

Kunle Odutayo, professionally known as Kunle Ayo, is an internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning Nigerian jazz guitarist and composer celebrated for his distinctive fusion of Afro-jazz, highlife, and contemporary influences. His artistry has earned him global recognition and comparisons to leading figures in jazz, including George Benson.

With a career that has taken him to major stages worldwide, Kunle continues to captivate audiences with his musicianship and dynamic live performances. He is currently touring the UK as part of his 2026 summer concert series, with performances in London from July.

At THE NEXUS FESTIVAL and THE NEXUS COMPETITION, Kunle Ayo will serve as a mentor and creative guide for young participants, offering valuable insights drawn from his extensive professional experience. He will also facilitate music masterclasses and panel discussions, helping to inspire, develop, and encourage the next generation of creatives.

Liza N Cooper

Liza N. Cooper, known as Siberian Lizard, is a London-based artist, animator, author and creative leader with more than 10 years’ experience in developing character-led entertainment. Previously the Art Director at Simon’s Cat, she created the internationally published graphic novel series Meems & Feefs and built an online audience of more than 290,000. She also facilitates sessions on animation, storytelling, comics, creative careers and original IP development.

Liza also lectured at the University of Brighton, DMU, and LCC. She also gave talks at the FMX conferences and at the AMIGANO AWARD & CONFERENCE, a prominent international event and competition honouring outstanding global work in 3D animation, visual effects (VFX), stills, visualisation, and design.

Sandra Chime-Age

Sandra Chime-Age is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Mireya Educational Services Ltd, an education and publishing consultancy based in Nigeria. Mireya specialises in exemplary proofreading, bespoke tuition across a range of subjects, and targeted support for English diction and correct pronunciation, delivered through private and small-group sessions.

As CEO of Mireya, Sandra has developed programmes that help learners improve clarity, confidence and accuracy in spoken English, reflecting her belief that effective communication is central to personal and professional growth. She is the author of Diction: A Guide to Correct English Pronunciations, a widely referenced resource offering practical guidance on standard English sounds and usage.

Alongside her work in education, Sandra is the owner and founder of the fashion and design outfit @designs3_ng, which brings together style, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial vision. Her dual engagement in educational consultancy and creative enterprise exemplifies her commitment to excellence across disciplines and to empowering others through skills, knowledge and presentation.

At THE NEXUS FESTIVAL, Sandra will support young creatives with focused guidance on professional English communication. Her sessions will address diction, pronunciation and public expression, helping participants articulate ideas clearly and confidently to audiences and collaborators. By equipping emerging artists with strong communication skills, Sandra’s involvement will complement their creative abilities and strengthen their readiness for international work, pitching, networking and leadership.

Oliver Smyth

Oliver is a multi-BAFTA and RTS award-winning director and animator whose skills span traditional hand-drawn animation, live action and visual effects. Oli got his break as an animation and story assistant on Tim Burton’s stop-motion feature The Corpse Bride.

In recent years, Oli has directed several children’s learning series and dramas. Notably, in collaboration with the late BBC Exec Katy Jones, he directed two cinema films that spearheaded the award-winning Ten Pieces project. These films sought to capture children’s imaginations and inspire creativity through classical music.

Oli has delivered and facilitated masterclasses and workshops at various universities, notably the University of Brighton, where he also featured prominently at FRAMPS (Frames Per Second) hosted by Michael Chidubem.

Oli has served as Creative Director for the past few years with Flock, a co-operative group of animation artists. He lives in Brighton with his wife Jen and their two daughters. He enjoys long dog walks, meditation, weightlifting and jigsaws.

Paul-Esupofo A. Oriade

Paul-Esupofo A. Oriade is a filmmaker, media practitioner, creative director, digital educator, producer, and communications consultant with extensive experience in creative media and strategic communication. He leads Pablum Multimedia, a forward-thinking company that helps individuals, organisations, businesses, institutions, and brands communicate with clarity, creativity, and measurable impact.

Pablum Multimedia operates across filmmaking, video production, livestreaming, digital content creation, graphic design, brand communication, media consulting, social media strategy, creative training, and capacity development. The company combines storytelling, technology, training, branding, and audience engagement to deliver practical solutions that enhance visibility and strengthen audience connection.

Known for its innovation-driven approach, Pablum Multimedia supports clients from concept development through to final delivery. Its services are designed to transform ideas into compelling content, build strong public identities, and enable effective communication across modern digital platforms.

Through workshops, masterclasses, consulting, production support, and hands-on training, the company equips filmmakers, content creators, entrepreneurs, corporate teams, educators, media professionals, and young talent with the skills needed for today’s creative economy. Pablum Multimedia is committed to professionalism, originality, and excellence in every project it undertakes.

Its core belief is that powerful storytelling and effective communication can drive visibility, influence, growth, education, and social impact. This guiding philosophy informs its work across creative production, media training, corporate communications, event coverage, and creative entrepreneurship.

Pablum Multimedia — Creating Ideas. Building Brands. Inspiring Impact.

Biodun "BATIK" Adebiyi

Biodun is a Nigerian trumpeter, composer, scholar, and educator with degrees in Music (Performance/Technology), Journalism, and Communication Studies, as well as an MBA in HRM (Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Governance). Trained in the Boys’ Brigade, he served as church organist and choirmaster in Ibadan, and later as Director of Music at St. Paul’s, Breadfruit, Lagos.

He played lead trumpet and flugelhorn with Fela & Egypt 80, Femi Kuti, Majek Fashek, The Mandators, and ensembles including the MUSON Symphony Orchestra, touring and recording with international artists such as Damon Albarn and Andy Sheppard. His compositions include “Konkolo” (premiered at the MUSON Festival in 2002) and a Wonderbrass-commissioned work for a 7-Continent Project.

He performed in Wole Soyinka’s Opera Wonyosi (1988), the National Troupe’s “SALT” (1989), and the 2003 All-African Games Orchestra. As leader of the Afro-Jazz band Biodun & Batik (“The Harmonious Blacksmith”), he is also a published researcher in Nigerian jazz (Muziki, 2025; Bloomsbury commission, 2026).

As President of the Nigerian Trumpet Guild and ITG Africa coordinator, he performed and conducted at International Trumpet Guild conferences (2012–2014). After visiting and guest professorships in Thailand and the US, he retired from Lagos State University in 2022 and now lives in Maryland, US.

Our vision

To become Africa’s leading creative incubator where emerging talent transforms into sustainable careers, shaping the future of global storytelling through innovation, collaboration, and multidisciplinary expression

Our mission

To provide a dynamic platform where emerging creatives can showcase, develop, and professionalise their work.
To bridge the gap between raw talent and industry by fostering mentorship, networking, and real-world opportunities.
To cultivate a multidisciplinary ecosystem that encourages collaboration across animation, film, fine art, photography, and beyond.
To empower creators with the tools, knowledge, and exposure needed for long-term creative and economic sustainability.
To position Nigeria as a global hub for cutting-edge creative talent and cultural production.

Our team

THE NEXUS FESTIVAL team is made up of passionate, creative, and committed professionals dedicated to delivering an inspiring and impactful experience. With a shared vision for excellence, collaboration, and innovation, the team works tirelessly to create a platform that celebrates creativity, nurtures talent, and connects people across disciplines and communities.

Driven by purpose and guided by strong values, the team is focused on building a festival and competition that are inclusive, memorable, and meaningful for all participants and visitors.