Sanwo-Olu pledges support for creative industry, applauds AI-driven Film Makemation

By Adeola Ogunrinde

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated his commitment to serving as an enabler in transforming the creative industry to enviable heights, making it globally competitive.

Sanwo-Olu made this remark on Sunday evening while hosting the producer of Africa’s first feature film on AI, Makemation, Toyosi Ogunsiji, at the State House, Marina, Lagos.

The event, attended by several filmmakers, producers, actors, and actresses, was part of preparations for the film’s premiere, scheduled for April 18 in cinemas. Sanwo-Olu expressed delight over the creativity infused into the film through Artificial Intelligence, describing it as “the power of envisioning.”

“We need to coordinate so that our voices are heard. Our future is now,” he stated.

Emphasizing collaboration, the Governor said, “This government is a willing partner in shaping the future we desire. We want to be a strong enabler. It is not limited to one person; it is a narrative of our country.”

The producer of Makemation, Ogunsiji, said, “The future is not something to wait for—the future is already here.”

She added that the film is a convergence of live-action and technology, emphasizing that despite its tech-driven nature, “robots and AI will still depend on human beings.”

The State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, noted that despite the abundance of talent in Lagos, there is a need to provide opportunities for individuals to translate their skills into meaningful impact.