The entertainment sector in Nigeria has achieved yet another significant milestone, and this time, a 13-year-old is at the forefront! Being the youngest Nigerian to receive an Emmy Award nomination, Simisola Gbadamosi has created history.
Because of her exceptional portrayal as Tola Martins in the animated Disney+ series Iwájú, which is set in a futuristic Lagos, Gbadamosi was nominated for a Children’s & Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Voice Performer.
But that’s not all. Disney and Kugali Media, a Nigerian animation studio, collaborated on the ground-breaking film Iwájú. It is also a candidate for Outstanding Children’s or Young Teen Animated Series and Outstanding Directing for an Animated Series. The show, which combines sci-fi fiction with Nigerian culture, has received recognition for bringing African stories to a worldwide audience.
Gbadamosi’s nomination puts her on a growing list of young actors who are causing a stir in Hollywood. Her accomplishment serves as motivation for aspiring young actors in Nigeria and elsewhere, in addition to being a victory for her.
When the Emmy Awards ceremony is held in Los Angeles on March 15, 2025, fans will be eagerly observing to see if she wins.
One thing is certain: Iwájú has demonstrated that African stories deserve to be heard, and Simisola Gbadamosi is a name to watch.
