- How He Rose From Mobile Cinema Pioneer to Chartered Coach
Olamilekan Dauda Olawale, widely known as “MR LEKKY D,” has been officially inducted into the Chartered Institute of Mentoring and Coaching Nigeria (CIMCN), as the first certified creative business coach and mentor in Africa. This esteemed recognition places him among the top professionals in mentoring and coaching across Africa. CIMCN, an education institution approved by the Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant government authorities, stands as the largest professional body in its field on the continent.
Olamilekan’s impressive journey began with the co-founding of “Imagine Cinemas,” Africa’s first mobile cinema, at just 21 years old. By the age of 26, he founded “Creat Naija,” Africa’s first creativity record label and digital campus agency. His sole vision is to further the digital evolution in Africa, ensuring long-term growth for young creatives still discovering their niche.
With a multifaceted experience in both B2B and B2C sectors, Olamilekan has mastered business execution, corporate and creative communication, sales management, and team leadership. He is dedicated to making Creat Naija a creative hotspot, significantly boosting the visibility and brand reality for African creatives. His philosophy of collaborating with the crème de la crème of like-minded creative talents has earned him a reputation as a radical frontier in the industry and the nickname “ FATHER OF CREATIVITY”.
Olamilekan’s influence spans across Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Olamilekan is building a formidable network of goal-driven young creatives. His role as a pan-African youth ambassador has seen him address over 500,000 young people between 2019 and 2024 at various symposiums, conferences, campus tours, concerts, festivals and Tedx Events. His discussions often focus on creative business education, strategy, marketing, personal development, tech career growth, Journalism and the importance of creative identity in creativity monetization.
Olamilekan is a passionate advocate for educational reform in Nigeria, particularly pushing for the inclusion of creative education in the curriculum, similar to practices in advanced countries. He argues that this is essential to nurture innovative thinkers who can drive forward technological and creative advancements, he believes strongly that creative education is the future of learning in Africa.
Olamilekan Dauda Olawale’s induction into CIMCN as a certified creative business coach and mentor highlights his unwavering commitment to excellence in mentoring and coaching. His work continues to inspire a new generation of leaders and creative entrepreneurs, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in Africa’s digital and creative industry.
