In our latest Lagos Meet feature, we highlight the career and craft of Odion Tobi, a Senior Animator and Creative Director whose work for the better part of a decade has mesmerized and gripped us.
Odion Tobi is a multifaceted creative powerhouse based in Lagos, Nigeria, operating at the intersection of traditional storytelling and digital innovation. As a highly skilled Art Director, Illustrator, and 3D Designer, Tobi has built a reputation for creating designs and experiences that push the boundaries of graphic art. His portfolio spans from intricate digital illustrations to cutting-edge 3D environments, fueled by a dedication to conceptualizing ingenious ideas and transforming them into visually captivating, industry-leading solutions.
Tobi’s brilliant journey was first noted internationally in 2016 when, as a teenager, he won a prestigious design competition by African Voices, becoming the first African artist commissioned for their official second logo. Today, his mastery of complex tools like Cinema 4D, Blender, and ZBrush allows him to craft trippy, immersive environments that have been showcased at high-profile international events, including the CoinGeek Conference in New York.
Beyond his personal success, Tobi’s legacy is rooted in his commitment to the African creative community. By founding The Ideators, a mentorship platform, he has democratized access to top-tier industry knowledge, connecting budding artists with seasoned professionals. Through his bold experimentation with color, shape, type, and narrative, Odion Tobi continues to redefine what it means to be a Nigerian creator in the 21st century—proving that with vision and technical mastery, African stories can indeed take over the world.
Whether he is directing the visual language for a fintech giant or crafting surreal 3D environments that feel like a fever dream of a futuristic Africa, his work remains remarkably disciplined. He often speaks about his early days in Lagos, essentially learning the ropes of a laptop from scratch before mastering the complexities of animation. This "ground-up" reality is what makes his current output so resonant. He didn't just learn the tools; he learned the why behind them.
As a Senior Animator at Yellow Card and the Creative Director at Forewalkers, Tobi has navigated the high-stakes world of corporate branding while maintaining a personal practice that pushes the boundaries of Afro-centric digital art. His work has traveled from the streets of Lagos to exhibition screens in New York, proving that a local perspective, when executed with global standards, has no ceiling.
Perhaps more important than the work he produces is the community he nurtures. Through The Ideators, Tobi has created a bridge for the next generation of African creatives. This move from "creator" to "facilitator" is a key shift in his career—a recognition that for the Nigerian creative ecosystem to thrive, we must replicate excellence. By mentoring young designers on Behance and beyond, he is ensuring that the path he blazed becomes a highway for others to follow.
Follow Tobi on @odiontobi, and read more stories on www.lagos-meet.com.
