Dr Ore-Ofe Williams, who runs TAMPAN Academy as the first provost, talked about building up Nigeria's film scene through proper training. The academy is part of TAMPAN, the Theatre Arts and Motion-Pictures Producers' Association of Nigeria, and it operates out of Bodija with full scholarships for students who need them. Williams studied under the late Chief Hubert Ogunde at what was then Ogun State University, and he also founded The City of Talents back in 2009.
The whole point is raising future leaders instead of just teaching technical skills, Williams explained. He pushed back hard against the idea that Yoruba Nollywood actors lack education, pointing out that many have formal degrees, and others gained knowledge through decades of real-world experience. TAMPAN Academy has already graduated two batches since 2023, and campuses are spreading across southwestern Nigeria, plus new locations in Abuja and Port Harcourt.
Williams emphasized that legacy comes from mentoring the next generation rather than chasing social media clout. Through The City of Talents, he has mentored over 6,000 young people, with some becoming doctors, lawyers, and engineers.
The whole point is raising future leaders instead of just teaching technical skills, Williams explained. He pushed back hard against the idea that Yoruba Nollywood actors lack education, pointing out that many have formal degrees, and others gained knowledge through decades of real-world experience. TAMPAN Academy has already graduated two batches since 2023, and campuses are spreading across southwestern Nigeria, plus new locations in Abuja and Port Harcourt.
Williams emphasized that legacy comes from mentoring the next generation rather than chasing social media clout. Through The City of Talents, he has mentored over 6,000 young people, with some becoming doctors, lawyers, and engineers.
