By Juliet Umeh
A certified creative business coach, Olamilekan Dauda Olawale is seeking to bridge the monitoring gap in the African creative industry.
Olawale who is also a mentor in Africa after being inducted into the Chartered Institute of Mentoring and Coaching Nigeria, CIMCN highlighted this in a statement made available to Vanguard.
While speaking on a common challenge faced by many creative youths in Africa, Olawale who is also known as ‘MR LEKKY D’ stated that the lack of professional mentors and coaches to help them develop and scale their talents and skills have remained a setback.
He said: “My decision to acquire professional certification from CIMCN underscores my commitment to bridging this gap and becoming a mentor and coach, thereby supporting others in their creative journeys.
“Through this initiative, I will empower more young talents across Africa by providing them with the guidance and expertise needed to succeed professionally in the Creative Industry.”
He said that his recognition into CIMCN
places him among the top mentoring and coaching professionals across the continent.
Meanwhile CIMCN is the largest professional body of its kind in Africa and is approved by the Federal Ministry of Education.
Olawale’s journey began at a young age. At just 21, he co-founded “Imagine Cinemas,” Africa’s first mobile cinema.
By 26, he had founded “Creat Naija,” Africa’s first creativity record label and digital campus agency. His vision is to empower young African creatives and ensure their long-term growth.
He has experience in both B2B and B2C sectors and is skilled in business execution, communication, sales management, and team leadership.
He is dedicated to making Creat Naija a hub for African creatives, boosting their visibility and brand recognition.
His collaborative approach and focus on working with talented individuals has earned him the nickname “FATHER OF CREATIVITY”.
Olawale’s influence spans across several African countries and extends to the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.
He is building a network of young creatives and has addressed over 500,000 young people between 2019 and 2024 at various events.
His discussions focus on creative business education, strategy, marketing, personal development, and the importance of creative identity.
Olawale is a strong advocate for educational reform in Nigeria, particularly for the inclusion of creative education in the curriculum.
He believes this is crucial to nurturing innovative thinkers who can drive progress across the continent
