The Media Mentoring Initiative (MMI) has launched a three-month Documentary Fellowship for Students to preserve and promote Yoruba identity through film

The Media Mentoring Initiative (MMI) has officially launched its Documentary Fellowship for Students (DFS), a three-month immersive program aimed at promoting Yoruba identity through documentary filmmaking.

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The fellowship, which began in January, is designed for **final-year students from public universities** who are passionate about Yoruba culture, history, and storytelling.

The program seeks to deepen participants’ understanding of Yoruba philosophies, governance, and way of life, while addressing the growing concerns of cultural and linguistic preservation in Nigeria.

Ten student fellows were selected from a competitive pool of applicants after submitting pitch documentary ideas covering themes such as Yoruba fashion, festivals, cuisine, and traditional names.

“I was struck by how articulate the students were and how deeply concerned they were about issues like the state of Yoruba names, the loathing of Oriki, and the alienation of youth from their roots,” said Anikeade Funke Treasure, the Fellowship Convener, during the welcome ceremony on 24 January.

Veteran Yoruba filmmaker and Mainframe Productions CEO, Tunde Kelani, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of preserving Yoruba heritage in the face of globalisation and modern influences.

“The Yoruba people are known worldwide for their rich culture, profound history, and timeless traditions. However, many aspects of this heritage risk being forgotten or misunderstood,” Kelani warned.

The Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism provided the seed funding for the program, while the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies (FCMS) at Lagos State University (LASU)** is hosting the initiative.

About the Media Mentoring Initiative

Powered by **Illuminate Nigeria Development Network**, the **Media Mentoring Initiative (MMI)** is committed to educating and nurturing young documentary filmmakers while promoting Yoruba culture, documentary ethics, and traditional governance systems.