Folagade Banks to Give Three Creatives N3m, iPhone 17 Pro Max
Popular Nigerian actor, content creator, and filmmaker, Folagade Banks, has announced an empowerment initiative that will award three aspiring and emerging content creators a total of N3 million and a brand-new iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The initiative, launched as part of the promotion of his film, A Mama Deola Wedding Story, aims to support creatives who are struggling to build their careers and lack the resources to produce content.
Banks is inviting aspiring and established content creators to share how the cash prize and smartphone would transform their creative journeys.
‘I started creating content with a broken phone’
Speaking about the initiative, Banks said his own experience of struggling to establish himself as an actor and content creator inspired the program.
He recalled travelling several hours from school to attend auditions, only to sometimes leave without appearing in a single scene.
“About five to six years ago, I was just that boy who was trying to create content. I was on the verge of giving up because I was going to auditions upon auditions to get a movie role,” he said.
Banks said the lack of opportunities eventually pushed him towards content creation, despite having limited resources.
He recalled shooting content with a broken phone, borrowing friends’ smartphones and using other people’s apartments as filming locations.
“I shot for two to three years in total silence. Nobody was applauding me, and then came Mama Deola,” he said. “I’m grateful for this character because it changed my life.”
The actor said his experience made him recognize the similarities between his journey and those of many aspiring creatives still trying to establish themselves.
Announcing the empowerment initiative, Banks said three content creators would share a total of N3 million and receive a brand-new iPhone 17 Pro Max.
“I am giving out the sum of N3 million and a brand new iPhone 17 Pro Max to three aspiring content creators or already established content creators. I started this whole journey with just passion and a small phone,” he said.
Banks said the initiative was designed to provide practical support to creatives who may have the talent and determination to succeed but lack access to the equipment and resources needed to create consistently.
How to participate
Interested creators are required to produce a video explaining how winning the cash prize and smartphone would improve their content creation journey.
Applicants are also expected to explain how Banks’ own story has inspired them.
According to the actor, winners will be selected based on the creativity of their submissions and audience engagement.
‘Consistency and belief kept me going’
Reflecting on his own growth, Banks said his journey from producing low-quality videos with limited resources to working on major productions demonstrated the impact of consistency and perseverance.
“Looking back to how far we’ve come, from blurry videos to now having the first-ever KAVA original in Africa, this is what growth looks like and the days we worked hard for,” he said.
He added that he had considered quitting several times but continued because of his belief in his creative journey.
Banks expressed hope that the initiative would give other creators the support they need to continue developing their skills and pursuing opportunities in the creative industry.
