9mobile has launched Echoes, an innovative AI-driven storytelling platform that brings Nigeria’s history, myths, and true events to life in a bid to reconnect Nigerian youths with their rich cultural heritage.
Through this initiative, 9mobile is using technology to preserve and promote indigenous narratives, ensuring that the stories of Nigeria’s past remain relevant to today’s digital-savvy generation.
For centuries, storytelling has been a cornerstone of Nigerian culture, passing down traditions, values, and history through spoken words. However, modern media trends have shifted focus away from indigenous narratives. Echoes seeks to change this by leveraging AI to retell these stories in engaging formats, making them accessible to young Nigerians on digital platforms they already use.
9mobile’s director of marketing, Kenechukwu Okonkwo, while speaking with newsmen in Lagos, explained that 9mobile carefully curated stories that matter to its audience, stories of resilience, ambition, culture, and everyday life deeply rooted in Nigeria’s history.
Okonkwo further the initial edition featured iconic locations such as Kajuru Castle, Idanre Hills, and Ogbunike Cave, with later episodes covering historical figures and events like King Eyo Honesty II and Igbo Landing.
“As a proudly Nigerian brand, we were deliberate about sharing rich Nigerian stories; capturing facts, myths, and true events that form the fabric of our identity. Many of these stories have been forgotten or lost as our cultures evolve. With Echoes, we step away from the Eurocentric narratives that dominate mainstream media and instead celebrate Nigerian stories, told by Nigerians, for Nigerians,” the director averred.
Each story underwent meticulous research, AI-assisted scripting, and precise editing to ensure both engagement and alignment with 9mobile’s core values. These stories were then distributed in various formats, including creative Shorts, Reels, TikTok clips, and social media posts across X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. While I played a crucial role in bringing this project to life, 9mobile ensured its ethical and responsible use.
“We prioritised accuracy and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that each narrative remained a true representation of historical accounts. Additionally, there was no data gatekeeping; audiences could access these stories without restrictions,” Okonkwo emphasized.
Commenting on this achievement, 9mobile’s chief executive officer, Obafemi Banigbe, stated that, “We are thrilled to receive this recognition, which reaffirms our commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. Echoes is a game-changer in the telecom industry, and we take pride in leading AI-driven innovation in Nigeria.”
