The MMELI Arts Foundation, in collaboration with Alliance Française de Lagos, hosted the Women, Words and Wealth workshop—an intensive programme designed to equip women writers and creatives with skills in craft, voice development, and pathways to publication.
The practical workshop held in Ikoyi, which was part of the activities to mark International Women’s Day 2026, focused on helping participants strengthen their creative identity, develop a distinctive voice, and navigate publishing opportunities.
According to a statement by the Foundation, sessions were led by storyteller and filmmaker Phoenix Ezendu; actor, writer, and filmmaker Richard Mofe Damijo; and award-winning author and journalist Nina Anyianuka.
Speaking on the workshop’s significance, Richard Mofe-Damijo, chairman of MMELI Arts Foundation, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to building structures that propel African voices “beyond potential into tangible influence.”
He noted that creative talent must be matched with institutional support to compete effectively on the global stage.
Victor Mark-Onyegbu, head of grants and community building at Africa No Filter, urged participants to recognise the power of narrative in shaping global perceptions of the continent, calling for grounded stories that challenge long-standing stereotypes about Africa.
Founded by Nina Anyianuka, the MMELI Arts Foundation supports cultural renewal and professional development for creatives. Partners for the workshop included Nestlé Nigeria, Rite Foods, Alliance Française Lagos, and Africa No Filter.
Anyianuka emphasized the foundation’s push for greater rigor in creative practice. “The goal is not simply to encourage expression, but to equip women with the tools to produce work that can stand in professional and global spaces,” she said. “That is why we created Women, Words and Wealth: to help women writers move from private expression to public authorship, with an emphasis on discipline, structure and intentionality.”
READ ALSO:
- Stakeholders Call for Stronger Women’s Participation in Nigeria’s Capital Market
- Elumelu Announces 3,200 New African Entrepreneurs as Foundation Nears 24,000 Beneficiaries
- “Wake Up!” Exhibition to Showcase Emerging Nigerian Artists in Lagos
- How Africa Can Overcome Global Disruption, Achieve Energy Independence – Analyst
- Banks Raise ₦4.65trn as CBN Wraps Up Recapitalisation Exercise
Participants described the workshop as a timely boost for women in the creative sector, blending cultural grounding with practical frameworks for building sustainable careers in storytelling.
Television and screenwriter Dorothy Ughenu said: “Women, Words & Wealth was a first-of-its-kind programme that developed and nurtured a safe space for women in the storytelling community. Applying the structures shared by the facilitators will amplify our voices and strengthen our earning power.”
MMELI Arts Foundation announced that details of forthcoming workshops and opportunities for writers will be released in the coming weeks. Interested participants and partners are encouraged to follow the foundation’s updates via its website and social media pages, or contact the editorial desk for registration information and collaboration inquiries.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in Mass Communication. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X