BellaNaija Teams Up With Google Gemini to Empower Next-Gen Creators!

On June 25, 2026, BellaNaija hosted the BellaNaija Next Gen Creator House, an immersive, full-day workshop in Lagos, Nigeria, in partnership with Google Gemini. This event brought together some of Nigeria’s most promising young creators, industry leaders, and technology experts, specifically targeting individuals between the ages of 18 and 25, to empower the next generation of African creators.

The workshop was designed to be both hands-on and inspiring, offering a comprehensive program that included workshops, mentorship sessions, creator challenges, and interactive discussions. Participants gained practical knowledge in crucial areas such as content creation, effective storytelling, personal branding, strategies for audience growth, and the responsible application of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. Young creators had the unique opportunity to learn directly from highly respected figures in Nigeria’s creative industry through panel sessions, presentations, and live Google Gemini sessions.

A lineup of esteemed speakers shared invaluable insights. Toke Makinwa, a prominent media personality, encouraged creators to cultivate a strong hunger for success and to pursue their individual paths and dreams, no matter how unconventional they might seem. Enioluwa Adeoluwa challenged attendees to view content creation not merely as a hobby, but as a professional career, emphasizing the need for structure, defined work hours, and building a team if feasible. “You should provide structure around what you do, have your work hours, and team if you can afford it. Above all, create,” he advised.

Korty EO elaborated on her interviewing philosophy, stressing the importance of genuine interest and curiosity in guests and their journeys to foster great conversations. Tosin Ajibade offered concise advice: “Follow the trend but evolve while at it.” Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade from Google guided creators on leveraging analytics to inform their decisions in the increasingly algorithm-driven digital landscape, and also led an interactive masterclass on implementing generative AI tools into creative production workflows. Uzoamaka Power advocated for authenticity, urging creators to prioritize original content over imitation. For creators working within established organizations, Abisola Alawode reframed the idea of being a creator, asserting that one doesn't necessarily need to be an entrepreneur to create; instead, they can build within existing organizational structures, policies, and visions.

The event also marked a significant moment for BellaNaija as it celebrated its 20th anniversary. Oluwadunsin Sanya, Head of Editorial and Innovation, spoke about two decades of positive storytelling and the profound responsibility that accompanies it. She urged young creators to resist the allure of sensationalism, delivering a powerful message: “The stories you tell today are the stories we’ll become tomorrow.” Mary Edoro, BellaNaija’s Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy, and Programme Director of the Next Gen Creator House, explained the initiative’s core philosophy: “Next Gen Creator House is BellaNaija’s answer to a question we’ve been asking ourselves throughout our 20th anniversary year: what does it mean to genuinely invest in the next generation, not just talk about them? This wasn’t just a conference about young creators. It is a space we have intentionally built for them, with the tools, mentorship, and access to actually build something real for Africa’s future.” The workshop culminated in the recognition of outstanding talent, with winners of the live digital challenge receiving prizes following the Google Gemini AI session.