The MMELI Arts Foundation says it is helping women strengthen their creative identity, develop a distinctive voice, and navigate publishing opportunities.
To achieve this, the foundation, in collaboration with Alliance Française de Lagos, held the Women, Words and Wealth workshop in Ikoyi.
A statement by the foundation on Sunday said the programme was organized to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026.
The workshop brought together women writers and creatives for an intensive practical session focused on strengthening creative identity, developing a distinctive voice, and exploring publishing pathways.
The sessions centred on Creative Identity, Developing Your Voice, and Publishing Pathways. They were led by storyteller and filmmaker Phoenix Ezendu; actor, writer and filmmaker Richard Mofe-Damijo; and award-winning author and journalist Nina Anyianuka.
Partners for the workshop included Nestlé Nigeria, Rite Foods, Alliance Française Lagos, and Africa No Filter.
Speaking on the significance of the workshop, Mr Richard Mofe-Damijo, Chairman of MMELI Arts Foundation, said the organization was focused on building structures that move African voices “beyond potential into tangible influence.”
He added that creative talent must be matched with institutional support to compete globally.
Also speaking, Mr Victor Mark-Onyegbu, Head of Grants and Community Building at Africa No Filter, urged participants to recognise the power of narrative in shaping global perception and to tell grounded stories that challenge long-standing stereotypes about the continent.
Founded by Nina Anyianuka, the MMELI Arts Foundation supports cultural renewal and professional development for creatives.
Anyianuka said the foundation was pushing for greater rigour in creative practice.
“The goal is not simply to encourage expression, but to equip women with the tools to produce work that can stand in professional and global spaces. That is why we created Women, Words and Wealth: to help women writers move from private expression to public authorship, with an emphasis on discipline, structure and intentionality,” she added.
According to the statement, participants described the workshop as a timely boost for women in the creative sector, blending cultural grounding with practical frameworks for building sustainable careers in storytelling.
Television and screenwriter Dorothy Ughenu noted that “Women, Words & Wealth” was a first-of-its-kind programme that created and nurtured a safe space for women in the storytelling community.
“Applying the structures shared by the facilitators will amplify our voices and strengthen our earning power,” she said.
The MMELI Arts Foundation said details of forthcoming workshops and opportunities for writers would be announced in the coming weeks.
