As a line-up of events leading up to the 5th edition of Trendupp Awards, Trendupp Africa has trained over 200 aspiring creators and influencers in collaboration with the Office of the SA to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Attracting over 3,000 registrations from aspiring content creators across the country, over 200 aspiring creators and influencers were shortlisted for the event to gain first-hand insights from the audacious facilitators and panelists present at the event.
Hosted by Pelumi Olawuni (@abikeshugaa), the event exceeded expectations, offering power-packed sessions from the theme “AUDACITY – The Place Of Boldness In Content Creation” which combined knowledge-sharing, networking, and deep industry insights across multiple creative sectors.
Speaking during an interview, Mr. Tiwalola “TJDotts” Olunubi, Founder/CEO of DottsMediaHouse and Trendupp Africa, described the event as one of the avenues Trendupp Africa and DottsMediaHouse are empowering content creators and influencers in the industry.
“The TrenduppX Masterclass ties directly to our mission of recognizing and supporting the audacious, creative work of content creators and influencers across the continent. One of the things we have done over 10 years at DottsMediaHouse is to support the creators’ economy by bridging the gap between creators and brands, giving them campaigns to thrive.”
He also mentioned that the masterclass is a crucial build-up to the Trendupp Awards Main Event, set for Sunday, July 13th, 2025.
“The initiative was created a year ago to provide first-hand answers to the many questions bothering many aspiring content creators. Every month, we train 50 people, giving them the needed tools and insights to help them become a Force in their niche. And this is a larger expression, being a pre-event to the 5th edition of Trendupp Awards, which has allowed these participants to meet with their favourite creators and learn a lot about navigating the industry.” said TJDotts.
The masterclass was divided into two key segments:
Panel Session: This segment featured influential thought leaders including The Creative Director of Trendupp Africa, Ayo Ishola @TheVisualAdvocate, The Business Lead at DottsMediaHouse, Bright Esagbodjie and Photo/Sport Journalist Sulaiman Adebayo @PoojaMedia, as they addressed pressing questions from the moderator and audience, sharing candid experiences, and providing valuable insights on the place of boldness in the creative industry.
Workshop: Renowned creators and influencers such as @BeautyTukura (Lifestyle Niche), @HusbandMaterial_hm (Podcast Niche), @AmazingKlef (Creative Arts Niche), and @OmoyeCooks (Food Niche) took the stage, each representing different niches in the creative industry.
Their sessions offered attendees exclusive guides, tips, and insider nuggets on building sustainable and standout personal brands online, while providing ways to support them on their journey.
The SA to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Idris Aregbe during his keynote speech spoke about the commitment of Lagos State to growing the creator economy.
“Lagos State remains deeply committed to growing the creators’ economy by providing the right platforms, policies, and support for our talented youths to thrive. The TrenduppX Masterclass aligns perfectly with our vision that was why we decided to support this initiative, as it not only showcases the incredible creativity within Lagos but also strengthens our position as the hub of arts, culture, and innovation in Africa.”
He was so impressed by the turnout and the different levels of audacity displayed by some of the participants that he supported selected participants with a total sum of two million naira.
In the wake of the event, Mr. Sam Ochoma – CEO of The Hook Ent. rewarded another participant with a life-changing opportunity to be a part of a feature-film production by The Hook Ent.
As the event wrapped up, all participants received certificates of participation, sealing their place in a movement that is redefining the future of content creation and influencer marketing in Africa.
The TrenduppX Masterclass, originally launched in 2024, was created to bridge the gap between aspiring digital creatives and established trusted voices in the content creation ecosystem.
The highly anticipated Trendupp Awards will mark its fifth edition, celebrating the most audacious digital creatives across Africa. Winners will receive the iconic gold statuette and significant recognition for their audacious contributions to the creative landscape.
This prestigious event is organized by Trendupp Africa in partnership with DottsMediaHouse (Africa’s foremost media agency for leading brands). The awards are proudly supported by a powerhouse lineup of sponsors and media partners including Pepsi, Sycamore, Tramango, Trace TV, MTVBase, Africa Magic, POP Central TV, CoolFM, Brand Communicator, Ameyaw Debrah, TheCable, MediaRoomHub, LegitNG, and BlackDrum TV.
To stay updated and relive moments from the TrenduppX Masterclass, follow @thisistrendupp on all social platforms and visit www.thisistrendupp.com.
