By Nkiruka Nnorom

MMELI Arts Foundation (MAF), in partnership with Alliance Française de Lagos, has hosted a storytelling and publishing workshop for women writers and creatives in Ikoyi, Lagos, as part of activities to mark International Women’s Day 2026.

The workshop, tagged Women, Words and Wealth, focused on creative identity, finding a strong writing voice and understanding publishing pathways.

Partners for the workshop included Nestlé Nigeria, Rite Foods, Alliance Française Lagos and Africa No Filter.

Organisers said the sessions were designed to help participants improve their craft and better prepare for publication and commissioned work across publishing, film and television.

Speaking on the initiative, Richard Mofe-Damijo, chairman of MMELI Arts Foundation, said creatives need stronger structures, training and networks to grow their work and compete globally.

Victor Mark-Onyegbu, Head of Grants and community building at Africa No Filter, told the participants that storytelling can shape how Africa is seen, urging them to tell stories that reflect lived realities and challenge stereotypes.

Founder of MMELI Arts Foundation, Nina Anyianuka, said the foundation wants more discipline and professionalism in creative work.

“The goal is not simply to encourage expression, but to equip women with tools to produce work that can stand in professional and global spaces,” she said.

“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.

Participants said the sessions provided practical guidance on developing stories, improving drafts and positioning their work for publication and paid opportunities.

Dorothy Ughenu, a television writer and screenwriter, said: “Women, Words & Wealth created a safe space for women in the storytelling community. The structures shared by the facilitators can help amplify our voices and strengthen our earning power.”