Canon and WISCAR Celebrate ‘Women Who Empower’ Graduates, . Photo by CANON
Canon Central & North Africa, in collaboration with Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), has graduated, the second season of their transformative ‘Women Who Empower’ programme corhot.
The initiative equipped 20 aspiring female professionals with crucial skills in photography, videography, and printing, marking a significant contribution to their development within Nigeria’s imaging and creative industries.
The culmination of the programme was celebrated at a graduation ceremony held at Hive by Zen, the creative studio Canon Ambassador Emmanuel Oyeleke.
The event featured an inspiring exhibition where each participant showcased their newly developed expertise.
Their diverse portfolios displayed a range of evocative photographs, striking prints, and compelling video stories, providing tangible evidence of the depth of learning and creativity fostered during the intensive programme.
The ‘Women Who Empower’ Season 2, which ran from April 22 to June 5, 2025, delivered a comprehensive training experience.
The curriculum was designed around three core modules: Photography, Printing, and Content Creation.
Learning was practical, incorporating extensive hands-on sessions where participants directly engaged with Canon equipment and techniques.
These were complemented by portfolio development workshops, guiding the women in curating their best work, including newly introduced photo and video walks.
These walks were instrumental in offering real-world learning opportunities, allowing participants to apply their skills in dynamic environments and build confidence outside the studio setting.
The Canon-led curriculum was brought to life by Daniel Ehimen, a Nigerian cinematographer and director, who provided invaluable mentorship and industry insights.
Somesh Adukia, Managing Director, Canon Central and North Africa, articulated the programme’s deeper significance, connecting it to Canon’s foundational ‘Kyosei’ philosophy – living and working together for the common good.
“The success of Season 2 of ‘Women Who Empower’ deeply resonates with Canon’s ongoing commitment to fostering diversity, enhancing education, and driving empowerment within Africa’s creative economy,” said Adukia.
“Witnessing these women cultivate their skills, strengthen their confidence, and expand their professional networks truly underscores the vital importance of sustained and meaningful partnerships like the one we share with WISCAR.”
Amina Oyagbola, Founder and Chairperson of WISCAR, spoke to the initiative’s broader impact and its connection to global empowerment efforts.
“Season 2 not only aligned with the International Women’s Day theme ‘Accelerate Action’ but, more importantly, it translated that message into tangible, impactful outcomes for these women,” stated Oyagbola.
“These graduates now possess not just technical tools, but also the confidence and expanded networks to actively shape the future of Nigeria’s imaging and creative sectors, contributing to national development.”
The ceremony also recognized two participants for their exceptional performance, creativity, and engagement throughout the programme.
Their projects stood out for originality, technical proficiency, and powerful storytelling.
Rosemary Onadipe, a visual storyteller and one of the distinguished participants, shared how the programme transformed her technical capabilities.
“Before this program, my reliance was solely on natural light to capture images. Through this experience, I gained clear instruction on how to effectively use artificial lighting, significantly enhancing both the quality of my subjects and the final outcome,” Onadipe explained.
“Crucially, I also acquired the technical knowledge to use a Canon camera for videography — an area I had only ever explored with my phone. The mentorship and hands-on exposure I received through Canon and WISCAR have profoundly changed my creative approach.”
Rasaq Adedoyin Muibat, an aspiring content creator, similarly expressed her gratitude for the direct learning experience.
“Learning directly from established industry leaders like Emmanuel and Daniel was an incredibly valuable opportunity,” Muibat added.
“Every session broadened my understanding of the media space, consistently empowering me to achieve more and pursue my vision as a creative professional and team lead with renewed conviction.”
The ‘Women Who Empower’ campaign represents a significant milestone in empowering women within the printing and imaging sectors across Nigeria.
Canon, which notably has over 63% women occupying leadership roles in its Middle East and Africa HQ, continues to champion diversity and inclusion through such impactful partnerships.
The success of this season affirms the power of collaboration in driving positive societal change, with plans for future collaborations and expanded programmes already being explored to further empower individuals and communities through innovation and creativity.
About Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR)
Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) is a non-profit organization co-founded in Nigeria.
The organization is committed to developing women professionals and empowering them to contribute significantly to nation-building.
WISCAR partners with organizations like Canon on initiatives designed to provide practical skills, mentorship, and community engagement to support women’s growth and impact in various sectors.
