With a focus on empathy, imagination, and practical skills, Terra Academy for the Arts is helping young people in Kano find their voices and use them to build creative futures.
Even in a digital-first world, writing remains one of the most powerful tools of self-expression and growth. For young people especially, creative writing offers more than artistic flair it builds confidence, fuels curiosity, and encourages critical thinking.
At Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), Kano State chapter, writing is being used as a gateway to transformation. Through workshops and coaching, the academy is training a new generation of storytellers, thinkers, and creative entrepreneurs.
According to Olagoke Ifatimehin, TAFTA’s lead learning coach, the goal isn’t just to teach technique. “It’s fundamentally about personal growth and self-employment,” he says. “We help participants explore their ideas and guide them toward building something real with their creativity.”

Technology plays a supporting role in his sessions—projectors, multimedia resources, and even AI tools are used to expand creative possibilities. “We’re not asking them to rely on AI,” he explains. “We’re showing them how to use it as a complement to their own imagination.”
The academy’s doors are open to all, not just students or professionals. Artisans, freelancers, and anyone with a passion for storytelling are welcome. “Creativity isn’t reserved for a select few,” Ifatimehin says. “It belongs to everyone.”
A Coaching Style Built on Trust
Ifatimehin’s teaching style emphasizes empathy. He believes that students need to feel seen and understood before they can truly express themselves. “Once they’re comfortable, it becomes easier for them to explore their aspirations,” he says.
That belief extends into the structure of TAFTA’s programs. The academy’s Gender Inclusivity and Safeguarding Unit helps create a safe, respectful space for everyone—regardless of gender, background, or appearance. “We have participants with albinism, young women, and others who are often excluded. Here, everyone belongs,” he says.

Rooted in Community
Creativity, he adds, doesn’t happen in isolation. TAFTA works with local communities in Kano to help participants connect their writing to lived experience. “To be truly creative, you must understand your environment,” he explains. That local engagement gives students’ work relevance and depth.
Getting Past the Blank Page
For writers, creative blocks are common but TAFTA treats them as part of the journey. “Sometimes we go blank, and that’s okay,” says Ifatimehin. “We use games and exercises to help participants loosen up and find their flow again.”
He encourages risk-taking too. Whether through freewriting, drama, or trial-and-error projects, students are pushed to try new things. “It’s in those bold moments that real breakthroughs happen,” he says.

Creative Freedom with Guidance
While the academy encourages free expression, it also offers structure. “We don’t censor,” Ifatimehin says, “but we guide. We ask students to think about what they’re saying and why it matters.”
Measuring Progress Differently
Assessment at TAFTA isn’t about grades. Instead, it’s focused on personal growth. “When students arrive, many are shy or unsure,” he says. “One couldn’t speak in public. Now she leads sessions.”
Progress is measured through interaction and observation, not just assignments. Group feedback and peer-to-peer learning play an important role. “It’s not about success or failure,” he says. “It’s about movement.”
Bringing Industry Into the Room
TAFTA also collaborates with creatives from Kannywood and Nollywood, giving students a firsthand look at the industry. Masterclasses and Q&A sessions help bridge the gap between training and real-world opportunities.
Still, challenges remain. Some participants struggle with attendance and time management, especially while juggling school or jobs. “We’re working on instilling time consciousness,” Ifatimehin says. “Creativity needs structure, too.”

Despite the hurdles, he sees opportunity. “The creative industry is a global currency now. From TikTok to film, people are turning ideas into income,” he says. “With the right tools, our students can do the same.”
Helping Young People Find Their Voice
Reflecting on his work, Ifatimehin describes himself as a nurturer. “I have the gift of understanding people,” he says. “And I know how to guide them toward their potential.”
For him, the goal isn’t just to produce writers—it’s to help people become confident, expressive, and connected. At TAFTA, creative writing is not only a skill, it’s a path to personal growth and lasting impact.