EAT Audio Drama Course Graduates First Cohort, Advancing Audio Drama Storytelling in Nigeria
Pioneering Audio Drama Excellence in Nigeria and Beyond
Debisibusybee Media’s Everything Audio Theatre (EAT) program is proud to announce the graduation of its first cohort of students from the Audio Drama 3-part course (Story Development, Scriptwriting, and Production).
The 8 out of 11 students who completed the 3-month virtual course have demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to the art of audio drama storytelling. The course, designed to equip students with skills and knowledge needed to excel in audio drama production, covers topics such as story development, scriptwriting, and production.
Students from across Nigeria, US and UK participated in the course and certificates were awarded on completion of the course.
Industry experts and veterans drawn from the media, movie space, development and government partners attended the graduation. The keynote address on ‘The Future of Audio Storytelling in Nigeria’ was presented by Mrs. Data Phido, Executive Director, African Radio Drama Association – DCI (ARDA-DCI).
In her submission, there is indeed a future for audio storytelling in Nigeria
“Is radio still a valid medium of communication? Is it something that is worthwhile for people to work in or should we move forward and look at more audiovisisual formats and so on. I remember everywhere you went in the 90s, everybody say, ” Is radio dead?” Nobody’s asking that anymore. So, radio as a channel is not dying out anytime soon as far as I can see. In fact, we have I think over 1,000 radio stations in Nigeria, and I’m not counting the internet radios. Then everybody has a podcast, So, if you go to podcast apps, you’re going to be getting a lot of audio materials. 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– Mrs. Data Phido, Executive Director, ARDA-DCI
Other guests include, Mrs. Funke Fagbemi, Executive Director of Centre for Communications and Social Impact (CCSI), Mr. Sola Fagorusi – Executive Director, Onelife Initiative, Mr. Oladayo Ogunbowale, S. A. Communications & Official Compere to Governor of Oyo State, Mrs. Bolatito Joseph – Fmr. Zonal Director FRCN amongst others.
The Course Creator and Lead Course Instructor, Adebisi Adetunji shares the objectives and inspiration behind the EAT Audio Drama Course
“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. I am excited to be able to contribute to the advancement of audio/radio drama in Nigeria and Africa as a whole through this course.”
Other course Faculty members include, Tokunbo Dada, Ass. Creative/Course Lead; Oluwasogo Faloye, IT/Tech support and AI tools Instructor, Adeyemi Adetunji, Education Advisor
Some highlights of the course 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
- Bonus modules on earning money as an Audio Drama Scriptwriter and production manager
- Bonus hands-on webinars
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 Oluwasogo Faloye
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.
Here’s what some of our students have to say about their course experience:
“The Audio Drama Course was an engaging and informative experience that provided valuable insights into the world of audio storytelling. The course’s structure and content effectively balanced theoretical foundations with practical applications, allowing me to develop a deeper understanding of audio drama production.
I particularly appreciated the hands-on exercises and feedback sessions, which helped me refine my skills in scriptwriting, sound design, and audio editing.” – Gbenga Oyelakin(US)
“It’s been a worthwhile period of learning, unlearning and re-learning what audio Drama is all about. The course has broadened my horizons about plays/dramas production.
These days,when i watch or listen to a drama,I see beyond its entertainment purpose,I also critically assess it to see if what we were taught in EAT reflect in the drama. Kudos to the faculty team” – Afolasade Osigwe (UK)
“My experience at the EAT Audio Drama Course was an interesting journey. From writing the plot of my story to getting my script reading I must say was more than fulfilling. To make the course interesting, the faculty added mandatory webinars that were engaging. The swift response to complaints and concerns by the faculty is impressive. All the experience gained I put into my drama.” – Adetoke Orekoya (Nigeria)
“I work in the development space and I have been part of audio drama story design workshops. I wanted to know more than just sitting in at such sessions. So, I enrolled and I have learned so much.” – Olumide Olaniyi (Nigeria)
Next Training
“The cohort 2 round of training will begin on 5th July 2025. It is fully virtual and anyone from age 18years and above can participate. The most important requirement is love for storytelling, writing and production. Therefore, audio/radio drama enthusiast, voice over artist/actors, scriptwriters, media and mass communications students and anyone looking to start his/her own audio drama podcast can enroll. ” – Adebisi Adetunji, Course Creator/Lead Instructor
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.
About Debisibusybee Media
Debisibusybee Media provides media career guidance, mentorship, and peer learning opportunities; develops audio/radio drama from scriptwriting to production; produces jingles, documentaries; and offers media relations services.
