In a groundbreaking move to champion creative innovation, an alumnus of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Mr. Bayo Omoboriowo, MFR, dreamed up an innovative incubator for creatives dubbed the MAD House.
This revolutionary concept was officially launched on Friday, December 15, 2023 by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS and witnessed by the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS; other members of the University Management; Tikera Africa team; friends and family of the creator, as well as students, alumni and staff of the Department of Creative Arts and other members of the University community.
The “MAD House”, disruptive in both its connotation and architecture, means “Make A Difference (MAD) House”. It stands tall with a rustic exterior look and an unconventional, aesthetically pleasing and yet functional interior, all made from about twenty six (26) containers intricately interconnected to create myriads of portals into the world of creativity.
“I’m looking forward to MAD House changing perceptions” – Professor Ogunsola
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola, OON, FAS while addressing the gathering at the official commissioning of the MAD House fervently expressed her hopes for creatives that pass through the space to become notable for their time in UNILAG, both locally and internationally.
She noted that the beauty of creativity is that it comes from the subconscious of the wielder; highlighting who they are, what they perceive themselves to be and what the world should be. Professor Ogunsola voiced her firm belief that creatives, through their limitless imaginations have the power to design a viable future for the nation, the continent and the world as a whole.
She shared her hopes of seeing a UNILAG that is trend setting in telling the world how proud we are to be Nigerians and Africans.
In her words, “I’m looking forward to the MAD House changing perceptions; MAD House being involved not just in creatives but adding the value of the creative into the sciences.”
Giving a bit of context, Professor Ogunsola challenged creatives to think up ways to Africanise tech such as car designs or innovative ways to improve housing using locally sourced materials such as clay or containers and upcycled buses as used in the construction of the MAD House.
She further charged up-and-coming artists to use their creativity for the good of their communities such that their impact can be felt wherever they go.
The Clinical Microbiologist encouraged the budding creatives to become viruses that would fully embed themselves into the University community, allowing the essence of their creativity seep into the community to transform the entire campus space as well as the creative outlook of members of the community and the world at large.
Professor Ogunsola commended Bayo Omoboriowo for working hard to bring to fruition, a vision that will help position Africa for excellence. She noted her joy in commissioning the incubator and working with the Mr. Omoboriowo and his team.
The Vice-Chancellor assured the gathering of the University Management’s unwavering support for the initiative, emphasising its role in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and pushing the boundaries of creative expression.
“Creativity cannot play a backbencher in the future that Africa needs” – Bayo Omoboriowo
In agreement with the Vice-Chancellor’s charge, Mr. Bayo Omoboriowo asserted that: “Creativity cannot play a backbencher in the future that Africa needs.”
Citing his personal journey as a testament of the infinite opportunities accessible through creativity, Mr. Omoboriowo touched on the rigours of his early days in learning photo editing skills to perfect his passion for photography and how he excelled along that trajectory to becoming one who had the honour of being the first widely celebrated official photographer of the first (1st) citizen of Nigeria. With this, he reverberated his aim to ensure budding Nigerian photographers, artists and other creatives alike would have a place to call home; a place where their creativity will know no bounds and one where their endeavour can transition from conceptualisation into actualization and wealth.
He appreciated the University of Lagos leadership, both present and past as well as the Management team for the unwavering support accorded to his vision and lauded his family and friends who stood by him through the turbulent times it took to bring his vision to actualisation. With heartfelt gratitude he said: “A big thank you to God Almighty for this couldn’t have been by me. I couldn’t have done this, not because I’m the most qualified creative out there, I’m just a creative blessed by God.”
Speaking to the fact that Africa needed a radical transformation, Bayo Omoboriowo, MFR, charged the creative arts students present at the ceremony to inform their friends that have the burning passion for photography and creativity and who can change the story of Africa, be they UNILAG students or not, to avail themselves of the opportunities provided in the MAD House. He asserted that part of the vision of the House is to accelerate creatives to become part of the very solution that Africa needs.
Fostering Creative Excellence: MAD House Unveils First Incubator Programme
As the House officially took its first steps to catering to the needs of its target audience, the anticipation among students and the broader creative community was palpable.
Riding the wave of that ardent expectation and with the permission of the Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Bayo Omoboriowo disclosed that the MAD House will launch its first programme, which will be a Lens-Based Incubation Program (LensBIP).
Applications to participate in LensBIP will remain open till Monday, January 8, 2024 as the first cohort, “2024 Cohort One”, is set to run from Monday, January 15 to Friday, April 12, 2024.
Interested applicants are to visit www.tikeraafrica.org/madhouse to apply.
The commissioning ceremony brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including faculty members, industry professionals, and enthusiastic students eager to explore the possibilities offered by the newly established Incubator. It featured a detailed tour of the facility and prospects on offer.
Located at the UNILAG Lagoon Front, the MAD House, as it is aptly called, boasts of cutting-edge facilities and resources carefully curated to empower emerging talents. From state-of-the-art photography studios equipped with the latest technology to collaborative workspaces designed to stimulate artistic dialogue, the facility provides an immersive environment conducive for being MAD with creativity. It is tailored for budding talents in the fields of photography and arts with arms wide open to interested and talented individuals studying courses in other fields or who are not members of the UNILAG community but have a passion for arts and photography.
The official launch marked a significant leap forward in the university’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of visual storytellers and artistic visionaries. The commitment to fostering a vibrant community is evident, as the MAD House by tikera also promises to feature mentorship programs, workshops, and networking events curated to bridge the gap between academia and industry.
The MAD House represents a timely response to the evolving demands of the creative industry in Nigeria, where there is a growing recognition of the invaluable contribution of visual arts to cultural identity and societal progress. By providing a platform for students to hone their skills and explore their artistic voice, the university aims to position itself as a hub for creative excellence, not only in academia but also in the broader creative ecosystem.
MAD House by tikera Africa is an Incubator, Accelerator and Research Institute dedicated to knowledge sharing, shaping, and sharpening, essential components for growth. It aims to achieve its purpose through a comprehensive approach that includes intensive education, well-equipped workspaces, community engagement, experimentation, mentorship, and funding. The mission? To empower creative founders and start-ups to address Africa’s pressing challenges.
The Creator of the MAD House, Bayo Omoboriowo, is the founder of tikera Africa. He is a multi-award-winning Visual Storyteller, Documentary Photographer and Guinness world record holder for publishing the largest photo book in the world. An alumnus of the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Mr. Bayo Omoboriowo added another prestigious feather to his hat earlier in the year 2023 when he was bestowed the National Honour of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the immediate past President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammad Buhari.
Click the play button below to watch highlights of the event:
See pictorial highlights below:
