The Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) on Saturday September 12th, 2026 participated in the Lagos Comic Convention 2026, bringing its longstanding commitment to literature, arts and cultural conversations to one of Nigeria’s leading celebrations of comics, popular culture and creative expression.
As part of the participation, CORA led a panel discussion titled “The Power of Story: From Book to Comic to Screen,” exploring the possibilities of storytelling across literary, visual and screen-based forms.
The 2026 theme of the convention—Where Are The Superheroes?— guided the conversation to examine how stories evolve as they move from the written page into comics, animation and screen productions, while considering the creative possibilities, challenges and opportunities involved in adapting stories for different audiences and platforms.
The panel also highlighted the growing intersections between literature, visual storytelling, technology and the creative industries.
Representing CORA at the session weee Mercy Timilehin Kelani, Tijani Usman, Olakunle Fadairo, Sandra Alabi and Victor Ayobami Adedapo, bringing diverse experiences across literature, visual arts, animation, media, technology, publishing and creative production.
Profiles: CORA Representatives
Mercy Timilehin Kelani — Moderator
Writer, editor, literary professional and communications practitioner with a background in English from the University of Lagos, Mercy’s experience spans writing, content development, social media management, literary programming and creative production. With a strong interest in literature and the creative industries, she has worked across literary and cultural spaces, contributing to conversations and initiatives that promote storytelling, creative expression and audience engagement. Her work reflects a particular interest in African literature and the ways stories can be reimagined and communicated across diverse platforms.
Tijani Usman (TijayWebster) — Panelist
Professionally known as TijayWebster, Tijani is a Nigerian multidisciplinary creative — animator, comic illustrator, poet and visual storyteller. His practice spans 3D animation, comics, digital illustration, motion graphics and performance, blending African cultural influences with contemporary visual storytelling and technology. He has worked with organisations and brands including Search for Common Ground, Sankofa Pan African Series, Unchained Vibes Africa, CORA, Progressive Love Academy, Texas House District 65, Urbanized Music Chicago, Zuri 24 Media and Providus Bank, among others. His work explores culture, identity, society and the human experience, with a particular passion for using comics and animation to create compelling African stories, characters and worlds.
Olakunle Fadairo — Panelist
Writer, educator, researcher, media professional and creative strategist, Olakunle holds a B.A. in English Language from the University of Lagos. His work spans media and the creative industry, where he has worked as a news anchor, social media strategist, librarian and project director. Olakunle has contributed to literary and cultural development through organisations and platforms including CORA, LABAF and the CORA Youth Creative Club. A passionate poet, novelist, researcher and cultural advocate, he is committed to using education, storytelling and media to empower young people and amplify African creativity.
Sandra Alabi — Panelist
A Technical Product Manager and community builder with over three years of experience in digital product development, Sandra is passionate about AI, technology and the future of work. She is also a member of CORA’s media team, where she contributes to promoting arts, culture and creative conversations.
Victor Ayobami Adedapo — Panelist
A goal-oriented creative professional and a graduate of English from the University of Lagos., Victor has a strong passion for literature, art and communication, with experience across publishing, printing, teaching and creative production. As the founder and Executive Director of Devica Art Production, Victor is committed to promoting literary and artistic expression through innovative publishing projects and cultural initiatives. His work demonstrates a deep engagement with the intersections of language, culture and human experience, reflecting his belief in the transformative power of creativity.
Through its participation at the Lagos Comic Con 2026, CORA had continued its commitment to creating platforms for and engaging in meaningful conversations around literature, art, culture and the creative economy. The panel provided an opportunity to explore how powerful stories could transcend formats, reach new audiences and find new lives through comics, animation and screen. CORA’s participation reinforced the organisation’s role in connecting Nigeria’s literary and creative communities while encouraging collaboration across disciplines and championing the transformative possibilities of African storytelling.
