E.A.T Advances Audio Storytelling Excellence In Nigeria • Graduates Pioneer Students In Audio Drama Course
A fast rising audio drama training platform, Everything Audio Theatre, (E.A.T) has graduated its first cohort of students from the just concluded Audio Drama 3-part course which featured Story Development, Scriptwriting, and Production.
At the graduation ceremony held virtually on Saturday, 14th June, 2025, eight out of the eleven students who completed the 3-month virtual course, demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to the art of audio drama storytelling.
Newsarena.ng reports that the graduation ceremony was well attended by experts and veterans drawn from the media, movie space, development and government partners.
In a keynote address Executive Director, African Radio Drama Association – DCI, Mrs. Data Phido who spoke on topic, ‘The Future of Audio Storytelling in Nigeria’ said as long as radio would continue to remain relevant in the society, audio story telling will continue to strive.
Mrs. Phido said “Let me assure you that you would always find something to do with this skill that you just got, because I remember as far back as, I think year 2000, just flailing around and trying to see who would write some scripts for us because we got a grant and we wanted to do a radio drama. Just basically looking up and down for people who can write good audio scripts, it wasn’t easy, instead, what we did was that we got money and then we did a national training for two weeks, we got people from all over Nigeria about 25 of them and we had to put them through, how you can tell stories and how you write audio drama.
“As we speak, radio is still alive, which leads me to think that there’s a continued future for audio channels, we have internet based radios, we have podcasts, we have all kinds of audio formats, So I believe that there is a future for storytelling in audio formats.
Other guests who spoke at the ceremony including, Executive Director of Centre for Communications and Social Impact, CCSI, Mrs. Funke Fagbemi; Deputy Director, Outside Broadcast and Sports, FRCN Ibadan, Dr. Abiodun Ogidan; Executive Director, Onelife Initiative, Mr. Sola Fagorusi; a Former Zonal Director, FRCN, Ibadan, Mrs. Bolatito Joseph and Dr. Oluwatoyin Afachung commended the programme, describing the course creator, Princess Adebisi Adetunji as a goal getter.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Lead Course Instructor and media career mentor, Princess Adebisi Adetunji shared the objectives and inspiration behind the EAT Audio Drama Course
Princess Adetunji said “Who knew that what began for me as a love for storytelling through scriptwriting, directing, and producing numerous stories for radio at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria several years ago, would one day become an opportunity to teach others the art of audio storytelling for entertainment and social impact.
“My goal is to ensure that audio/radio drama storytellers get equipped with skills required to tell compelling and professionally sound Nigerian and African stories. Also, it is an opportunity to equip colleagues in the media and creative space with extra earning skills.
She expressed delight that she has been able to contribute to the advancement of audio/radio drama in Nigeria and Africa as a whole through the course.
Adetunji highlighted some of the courses offered to include, History of Audio Theatre, Basic elements/concepts of story development and audio theatre, Audio Drama writer’s tools, Understanding story setting, character development, and treatment sheet; Elements of pre-production, production, and post-production as well as Bonus modules on earning money as an Audio Drama Scriptwriter and production manager
She said “The students participated in three value-adding webinars with industry experts, covering topics such as The Art of storytelling/Writing for the Ear, Script translation into languages, and AI tools for audio drama productions facilitated by Mrs. Data Phido, Executive Director African Radio Drama Association -Development Communication Incorporated(ARDA-DCI), Tokunbo Dada and OluwasogoFaloye
“The students have developed story synopses and plots, written fully mechanized audio dramas, and managed the production of scripts leveraging AI tools and sound studios. Some of the stories produced include, ‘Forbidden Frequency,’ ‘Unfazed,’ ‘Tomiwa,’ ‘The Kuti Palava,’ ‘The Candidate,’ ‘The Marriage Pact,’ etc.
“These productions created by students inspired the need to launch the @EAThood YouTube channel where audiences can listen to intriguing, suspense filled and educative audio plays of our students and other Nigerian and African audio stories. In addition, the channel will provide news updates about audio storytelling courses and opportunities; and a bank of audio sound effects tailored to African audio plays.”
She said the next round of training will begin on 5th July 2025 for interested persons above 18years, especially people in the media space, voice over artist/actors, scriptwriters, mass communications students and anyone looking to start his/her own audio drama podcast.
In their separate remarks, two of the students who participated from the United States and United Kingdom, Mr. Gbenga Oyelakin and Mrs. Folasade Osigwe described the training as an eye opener, providing valuable insights into the world of audio storytelling.
Other students, including Adetoke Orekoya and Olumide Olaniyi commended the programme, noting that the swift response to complaints and concerns by the faculty was impressive.
For more information about the EAT Audio Drama Course or to inquire about future cohorts, please contact Debisibusybee Media at debacademyng@gmail.com or 08053420837, www.debisibusybeemedia.com, Follow on FaceBook, Instagram( @debme_dia) and LinkedIn.
