It saddens me to share that my neighbour, Kosi, was kidnapped on his way home on Saturday.
We’re asking for any support during this time, no amount is too small. Please keep him in your prayers for his safe return.
The future is being built with data, intelligence, and purpose. 💥🌍
We’re proud to unveil our partner, Data Science Nigeria (DSN) OAU, Africa’s foremost Data Science and Artificial Intelligence organisation.
Bants aside, let’s address the real issue and let’s be honest. What happened here is exactly why many designers will keep struggling to command real value in this industry.
The poor will never cease in the land. Same way 2k designers will never cease.
Many of you are out here defending a “minister” who clearly ran damage control with 500k, yet you have never even closed a $1k design deal in your life. Think about that for a second.
You are defending someone who publicly set a precedent that design can be crowdsourced for free.
This is not about whether his intention was pure. Intent does not cancel impact. Disrespect is disrespect.
This was done in a public space. Clients are watching. Brands are watching. Decision makers are watching. And what did they see?
They saw hundreds of designers rush to:
– create free work
– compete for visibility instead of value
– validate a system that says “we don’t need to pay you to get results”
And you think that does not damage the profession?
It does.
You made it look like design is cheap. You made it look like designers are desperate. You made it look like quality can be extracted without cost.
And tomorrow, you will complain that clients are underpaying you.
The irony is loud.
This is someone known for putting out solid design work. Someone that clearly has access to a design team. Yet suddenly, an AI poster shows up that is below standard… and right after that, a “challenge” drops?
You people really did not see through that?
Engagement farming has been done before. This is not new. Trigger the crowd. Let them react. Then convert that attention into free labour.
And it worked. Effortlessly.
Then midway, the narrative changes. Now it is no longer “join my team.” It becomes “500k for the winner.”
So what happens to everyone else who submitted work?
Exactly.
You all keep missing the bigger picture. This is not about one person. This is about what you are collectively normalising.
Every time you rush to do free work in a public competition like this, you are not just affecting yourself. You are dragging the entire profession backwards.
You are telling the market:“We are available. We are many. We are cheap. We will compete for scraps.”
And the market will respond accordingly.
Nobody is saying do not participate in opportunities. But if you cannot differentiate between exposure and exploitation, then you are not ready for the level you claim you want.
The minister might mean well. That is not the point.
The point is this: If you keep defending systems that undervalue your work, do not be surprised when the industry continues to undervalue you.
Simple.
Creatives, let’s talk about staying relevant in the years ahead. 🔥
AI is moving fast and reshaping the creative industry… but the real question is: how do you stay ahead, not behind? 🤔
#TheEvoSeries#StayRelevant#AIForCreatives#CreativeCommunity
Hello everyone, I’m Grace Olaniyi and I’m a journalist!
I recently attended a 3-day journalism training hosted by @CJIDAfrica (CJID), and it turned out to be more than just a learning experience, it was a moment of reflection and growth for me.
@BarcaTimes This practically a political stunt for me. He left the club for more than a year now and the time he thought it right to speak up is during election. This sums up everything.