The Nigerian creative industry is on the verge of a transformative evolution as Ozone Mbanefo, the Provost of 02 Academy, unveils the institution’s strategic expansion to Abuja. This move signifies a bold step in the academy’s ongoing mission to broaden the horizons of creative education and professional development across the country.
Ozone Mbanefo, a renowned and highly respected professional made this announcement via his Instagram page.
On his Instagram page, Mbanefo declared, “Oxygen is now in Abuja!” This statement symbolizes the fresh, innovative energy that 02 Academy is set to bring to Abuja’s creative landscape. With courses in Copywriting, Art Direction, Film Making, Strategy, and Digital Marketing, students will have the opportunity to learn from top industry professionals while driving their creativity forward.
In an exclusive interview with The Brand Colossus, Ozone Mbanefo shared the inspiration behind the Abuja campus launch. “We were constantly seeing a strong inflow of young professionals traveling from Abuja to Lagos for training. It only made sense to bring the academy to them,” he explained. “Our mission is to restore hope through capacity building, helping more Nigerian youth become employable and, even better, employers of labor.”
The academy’s move to Abuja goes beyond mere convenience. It is part of a larger vision to decentralize creative talent in Nigeria, allowing businesses in the city to tap into a pool of professionals who have been trained to the highest standards. “Information is the only thing that brings transformation,” Mbanefo noted. “By producing more creative talent in Abuja, we’ll make it easier for employers to access skilled individuals, which will undoubtedly contribute to the growth of the marketing communication industry in the capital.”
But what sets 02 Academy apart from other creative institutions? According to Mbanefo, consistency is key. “What we are offering in Abuja is the same high-quality training you’d get in Lagos. Our unique approach, a blend of ‘grind’ and ‘fun-ducation,’ will be replicated here,” he explained. “We are not just issuing certificates; we are fostering a culture of hard work, creativity, and resilience.”
Looking beyond Abuja, Mbanefo has an even broader vision for 02 Academy. “Our aim is to go global,” he said, highlighting the academy’s recognition as one of the few African institutions outside of South Africa to win the prestigious Loeries Award. The academy is now an educational partner in the global creative scene, and Mbanefo doesn’t plan to stop there.
“We are expanding nationwide with a virtual training program that will be integrated into universities across the country, including the University of Ilorin and the University of Ibadan. By the second or third quarter of next year, we plan to be fully operational in several other institutions,” he revealed. The goal is to create a seamless bridge between academia (the ‘gown’) and the professional world (the ‘town’), offering young Nigerians opportunities to work as freelancers and gain hands-on industry experience while still in school.
However, like many businesses in Nigeria, 02 Academy faces challenges—particularly with power supply. “The biggest hurdle is running 24/7 power with generators and diesel costs. But beyond that, we’re on top of our game,” Mbanefo stated.
Despite these challenges, Mbanefo is confident that the academy’s partnership with brands and professional bodies will ensure the program remains accessible and affordable to all. “We are speaking to brands to see how they can support us in training young people, and some of these students will eventually work with these brands. It’s an investment for everyone,” he remarked. He further emphasized that Nigeria’s future lies not in oil, but in knowledge, and institutions like 02 Academy are vital for developing that intellectual capital.
Collaboration with industry bodies is also part of the academy’s strategy. Mbanefo mentioned, “We are already linked with the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) and are open to working with any professional bodies who share our vision of bridging the gap between education and industry.”
As the creative landscape in Nigeria evolves, the launch of 02 Academy Abuja marks a pivotal moment for young talents in the city and beyond. With a strong network of industry professionals, an ethos of hard work and innovation, and a commitment to restoring hope through education, 02 Academy is not just expanding; it’s revolutionizing how creativity is nurtured and how talent is deployed across Nigeria.
Known for its rigorous training and transformative impact on young professionals, 02 Academy is set to spark a creative revolution in the capital city.
With the launch event already held, registrations for 02 Academy Abuja close on the 25th of October, with lectures commencing the next day, the 26th of October 2024
So, for creative visionaries in Abuja looking to spark something extraordinary, the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed begins on October 26th. Oxygen is now in the capital, and the future of creative education has never been brighter.
