The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has reaffirmed its commitment to producing innovative, industry-ready graduates, with special focus on animation and creative technology in the country.
The Rector of the college, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, said this during a Stop-Motion Animation Workshop held at the institution in Lagos on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Skills, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development, in collaboration with Radioxity Media.
Stop-motion animation is an art and engineering expression with a significant global footprint.
Abdul said the college’s commitment to producing innovative graduates reflected its vision of not only educating students but also transforming them into pioneers capable of driving progress and change in society.
He said the workshop was another strategic step towards providing skills and capacity-building opportunities for participants.
According to him, the initiative demonstrates the college’s commitment, through TETFund, to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical, industry-relevant skills.
Abdul said: “In a bold declaration of its educational vision, YABATECH has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence among its graduates.
“This initiative is not merely a statement but a comprehensive strategy aimed at equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.
“By integrating cutting-edge technology and contemporary teaching methodologies into its curriculum, YABATECH is dedicated to nurturing creative thinkers and problem solvers who can contribute meaningfully to various industries.
“The institution is actively collaborating with industry leaders to ensure that its programmes remain relevant and aligned with current market demands, thereby enhancing the employability of its graduates.
“Furthermore, YABATECH is investing in state-of-the-art facilities and resources that will empower students to engage in hands-on learning experiences, research projects and innovative initiatives.”
He said the goal of the workshop was to create content with global reach, similar to Nollywood’s success, and to expand Nigeria’s film expression through stop-motion animation.
He noted that in a world increasingly driven by creativity, digital innovation and visual communication, stop-motion animation stood out as a powerful medium for storytelling, brand building and creative expression.
The rector explained that it combined technical skill with artistic imagination, competencies highly sought after in the media, entertainment, advertising and education sectors.
According to him, “We gather to explore the fascinating world of stop-motion animation, a simple yet powerful form of storytelling that turns imagination into motion.
“Stop-motion animation teaches an important lesson: big things are created step by step. By moving objects slightly and capturing each moment, we make stories come alive.
“In many ways, this mirrors our academic and personal journeys. Progress may seem slow, but consistency produces remarkable results.”
The rector urged participants to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire hands-on skills in creative storytelling, digital animation and media production.
He added that the knowledge gained from the workshop should not only enhance their personal portfolios but also position them as contributors to Nigeria’s growing creative economy.
In his remarks, the Centre Director, Mr Sheriff-deen Ayodele-Oja, said the centre, as part of its mandate, would support the college in promoting specialisation in skill areas that address priority national challenges.
Ayodele-Oja said the centre would also strengthen the capacity of the institution to deliver quality training and applied research.
He said this was aimed at bridging the gap between academia, industry, policymakers and communities, as well as developing industry-relevant products and services through skills and research development.
“We believe our students can seize opportunities for international exposure and the narration of our cultural strengths.
“In our effort to build capacity for excellence and encourage innovation and creativity, we will be holding a full-day stop-motion animation training on April 18.
“This is mainly targeting 120 shortlisted students. During the period, they will be exposed to professional stop-motion animation techniques using Radioxity stop-motion ball and socket armature kits,” he said.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of Radioxity Media, Mrs Esther Gbadamosi, said the workshop encouraged participants to utilise their skills in stop-motion animation.
She noted that African stories were often told by non-Africans, hence the need for self-representation.
Gbadamosi said outstanding students would receive start-up kits for professional stop-motion animation.
She added that participants would also benefit from a six-week paid internship programme sponsored by the French Embassy and Access Bank.
