StoryMi is a derivative of the Yoruba phrase “Ìtàn mi” which translates to “My Story” in English. With the current evolution recorded in the media space through modern technology, we aim to build a community of competent media creatives who will be versed in all media spheres including; Journalism, Television and Documentary production, photography and Videography, Print and Radio broadcast.​
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At StoryMi Academy, we are more than just an institution—we are a movement. A movement dedicated to empowering storytellers, preserving cultural heritage, and making Nigerian and African stories known to the world. Together, we will create stories that shape the future.
Our
Vision
Our vision is to create a world where every story has the opportunity to be told, heard, and celebrated. We are committed to amplifying diverse voices, particularly those from underrepresented groups, ensuring that the stories that shape our collective future are inclusive and resonate with truth.
Distinct Courses and Curriculums
Tailored to meet the needs of both beginners and advanced creatives.
Bursaries for Professional Projects
Financial support to help bring your story ideas to life.
Coaching from Reputable Instructors
Learn from industry leaders who are passionate about guiding the next generation.
Simulated and Practical AssignmentS
Real-world scenarios that prepare you for the challenges and opportunities in the media industry.
Our Team
Founder and director of StoryMi Academy, she spent most of her career in Africa, first as a freelance journalist based in Johannesburg for several international media.
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She relocated on a permanent basis to Nigeria in 2016, where she worked with Agence France-Press (AFP) as a deputy director in the Lagos bureau, and then as the Director and Coordinator of the Hausa Service for Radio France Internationale (RFI).
Sophie is an accomplished author with three books to her name. Manuwa Street, her last book, was published at Farafina Books in 2022. She founded StoryMi Academy to upscale media and journalism and give opportunities to the new generation of Nigerian reporters.
She is currently the youngest ever recipient of the highest award in French Press, the Albert Londres Prize.
A visual storyteller who integrates Multimedia practice and artistry to illuminate reportage on Sexuality, Gender, Politics, Football, Pop Culture, Migration, Religion and Spirituality.
His works have been published globally in Books, Magazines and websites including; The National Geographic, New York Times, Courrier International, Washington Post Financial Times, Guardian Online amongst others.
A social Justice advocate with his brand of journalism, he continues to work with several local and international institutions.
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He is considered as one of the best African photojournalist of his generation.
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The founder of Baainz media solutions, he is a Film producer and photographer who uses his background in finance and media strategy to influence our culture through film and intentional storytelling.
He has worked on numerous cinematography projects as well as marketing campaigns with reputable brands including; Aliko Dangote foundation, TikTok, Mavin Records, CFI and Living Faith Ministries inc.
His works have also been featured on the Nasdaq Billboard in Times Square and Vuuqa Magazine SA.
A successful documentary filmmaker based in Paris, France. She is experienced photogrpaher in both print and multimedia journalism having worked with the most prestigious French Newspapers.
An international filmmaker of repute, she directed her first short film in 2020, “The Death Cleaner” which was selected for the Emmy awards in 2021 and also for the AFI Festival.
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Her second short film “Rocio and me”, highlights the struggles and relationship between a mother and her daughter suffering from Down syndrome. In 2022, she shot “Nigeria’s Dancer for Change” commissioned by Al Jazeera.
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Ike Nnabue is a highly celebrated Nigerian Film Director, Screenwriter and Producer.
Ike’s new film No U-Turn received a Special Mention Award at Berlin International Festival - Berlinale 2022.
Ike is the Founder and CEO of Love Portion Creativehubs, building a network of Creative Hubs across Africa and some select cities around the globe to create safe spaces for African Creatives to thrive. He is also the founder of Passion8 Communications Ltd, a premium media content production company based in Lagos Nigeria.
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He is fondly regarded as one of the champions of the emerging new African cinema.
Aimalohi Ojeamiren is a visual storyteller and film director who is shaping narratives that resonate with depth and impact.
In 2023, she was selected as a fellow in the Documentary Film Fellowship by the French Embassy in Nigeria and StoryMi Academy. This experience provided her with professional training, culminating in the production of "No Way Home” - highlighting the Nigerian brain drain and emigration which has screened in prominent locations like Paris and Biarritz, France.
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When she’s not behind the camera, she is behind the social media platforms for StoryMi Academy, where she weaves visuals with text.
Contributors
BBC West Africa correspondent based in Lagos, Mayeni Jones is a multilingual and multimedia journalist.
A successful investigative journalist, her scope of work includes presenting “African Eye” - a BBC Africa investigative show. In May 2019 she spearheaded a BBC panorama investigation that revealed how culpable businessmen connived to syphon billions of dollars in an energy deal in Senegal with kickbacks traced to the family members of the President.
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More on Mayeni: Mayeni Jones
Olayinka Sangotoye, is a visual artist who specializes in industrial design and a two-time National Art competition award winner.
His vast experience as General/Gallery Manager at African Artists' Foundation/Lagos Photo Festival has led him to explore and contribute greatly to the standard of exhibition and photo festival display in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Sylvain Lepetit won France’s highest journalism award – the Albert Londres prize - for "La guerre de la polio", in 2014. Before that, he had been a reporter and news videographer for a decade, based in Paris, New Delhi, Miami, Kabul and Islamabad.
He's the co-founder of Caravelle Productions with Miyuki Droz Aramaki.
In 2019, he co-directed "The Princes’ War" about the confrontation between the new
generation of crowned heads in the Gulf, followed in 2022 by "Qatar, a conquering dynasty"
(Arte), which made the best audience of that year.
Miyuki Droz Aramaki cut her teeth in India and then in the Middle East, where she lived for
almost ten years. After starting as a news reporter, she moved on to feature documentaries in Japan, Mosul, Raqqa or Algeria. In 2014, she co-founded the production company Caravelle Productions with Sylvain Lepetit. After several years covering current affairs in the Middle East, she moved to Kenya and started working on African stories.
Her latest documentary is a 90-minute investigation for Arte on the origins of the financial crisis in Lebanon: "The heist of the Century", was a finalist of the 2024 DIG awards.
Florence Martin-Kessler, CEO of Live Magazine, a pioneering journalism show, celebrated Press Innovation of the Year.
Notable for launching the Next Journalism Award, she also judges Prix du Livre du Réel. Recognized in 2019 as one of the Fifty who make Paris, she received the Chevalière de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2023 for impactful contributions to French journalism.
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Fati Abubakar is a documentary photographer, Photojournalist and a Health worker based in Nigeria.
She uses photography to highlight issues at the communal level. Her pictures have been published internationally by New York Times, BBC, Reuters, AFP, CNN ,Voice of America, Newsweek Europe amongst others.
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Diana is a Nigerian-Italian illustrator and textile designer. She lives between Berlin, Germany, and Lagos. In 2014, Ejaita started a fashion label called WearYourMask, inspired by West African traditions and her Italo-Nigerian heritage. In 2019, she illustrated a Google Doodle commemorating the 119th birthday of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Ejaita has designed eight covers for The New Yorker and two covers for The Republic magazine.
Moïse Gomis, a graduate of the Bordeaux School of Journalism, founded RADIO HDR, a community radio station n Rouen where he served as Editor-in-Chief for 15 years.
Moïse's experience spans continents including working with Radio France Internationale, France 24, and RADIO OKAPI in Congo.
Marjolaine Grappe, an independent documentary filmmaker & investigative journalist, is currently a fellow at the MIT Open Documentary Lab, where she explores the intersection of film, investigative journalism, and video games. Her work on All The Dictator’s Men, which investigates the financing of North Korea’s nuclear weapons garnered 30 million online viewers and earned her the 2018 Albert Londres Prize. Her projects have been supported by prestigious organizations, including the Catapult Film Fund, WIF/Sundance, Field of Vision and SFFILM.
Dipo Faloyin is a Senior editor and writer at VICE, where his work focuses on culture, race and identity across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. His writing has also featured in the Guardian, Esquire, Newsweek, Dazed and others. He was born in Chicago, raised in Lagos and currently lives in London. He’s the author of Africa is not a Country (Penguin Books).​