Lasbrey Akamike, founder of Kedu TV, believes that the future of Nigerian film depends on how fast the industry adapts to artificial intelligence (AI). In an interview about his latest animated short, Aja, Akamike explained that Nigerian filmmakers should not view AI as competition but as a creative tool that can transform storytelling.

According to Akamike, the project combined traditional animation techniques with six different AI tools to produce scenes, motion, and facial expressions. “AI didn’t replace creativity,” he said. “It helped me bring ideas to life faster and at a lower cost.”

He explained that the animation was guided by real human input from writers, editors, and sound designers. The goal, he said, was to show how AI can work alongside human creativity, not against it.

Why Nigerian Filmmakers Should Embrace AI

Akamike pointed out that AI filmmaking can help reduce production costs for small studios and independent filmmakers in Nigeria. High budgets, limited technical resources, and long editing hours have often slowed down Nollywood’s growth. By integrating AI into scriptwriting, animation, and post-production, filmmakers can experiment more freely and achieve cinematic quality on smaller budgets.

He also addressed misconceptions about AI-generated content. “People think AI is doing everything,” he said. “But it’s still human creativity that guides the story. AI just helps you get there faster.”

Akamike added that collaboration across Nigeria’s creative industry remains a challenge, with many artists working in isolation. He believes wider AI adoption could encourage teamwork between animators, writers, and digital artists, allowing Nollywood to compete globally.

While acknowledging issues such as data costs and access to high-speed internet, Akamike expressed optimism. He noted that technology improvements, including services like Starlink, are already expanding opportunities for filmmakers to explore advanced digital production.

His next project will blend manga-inspired visuals with AI-driven animation which is a sign that innovation and tradition can coexist.

For Akamike, the message is simple: those who learn to use AI today will shape the stories of tomorrow.