“Some legacies aren’t built in a year. They’re built over a lifetime.”
If you grew up reading Nigerian comics, chances are you’ve met Morak Oguntade’s work even if you didn’t know his name at the time.
Drawing, imagining, and creating characters that people instantly connected with. His illustrations slipped easily into daily life, appearing in newspapers, comic magazines, and stories that felt close to home.
With a career spanning over four decades, Morak Oguntade stands as one of the most influential pioneers of Nigerian comic illustration and visual storytelling.
His work has not only entertained generations but has helped define what Nigerian comics look, feel, and sound like. This Lifetime Achievement Award is not just an honour.
It is a collective expression of gratitude from an industry he helped build.
A Journey Rooted in Purpose and Passion
Morak Oguntade’s journey into the arts was shaped by a deep-rooted commitment to visual storytelling.
Long before digital platforms amplified creative voices, he was already crafting narratives with ink, paper, and imagination guided by a belief that stories, when drawn with honesty, could outlive their creators.
That commitment led to one of the most defining collaborations in Nigerian comic history: his work with the legendary Wale Adenuga on Ikebe Super.
This collaboration would not only define much of Oguntade’s career but also mark a turning point in Nigeria’s popular culture.
Ikebe Super: Where Characters Became Culture
“Through Ikebe Super, characters stopped being drawings and became cultural memory.”
In the 1980s, Ikebe Super was more than a comic magazine, it was a mirror of Nigerian society, told through humour and satire.
As the principal illustrator, Morak Oguntade brought unforgettable characters to life, including:
- Papa Ajasco
- Pa Jimoh
- Alinko
- Ajasco
Oguntade’s bold, expressive style defined by exaggerated features, dynamic movement, and emotional clarity gave these characters identities that transcended the printed page.
They became cultural fixtures, laying the foundation for adaptations across television and film, and shaping how humour and social commentary were visually expressed in Nigeria.
Building Stories Beyond a Single Universe
While Ikebe Super remains iconic, Morak Oguntade’s creative footprint extends far beyond one title.
Among his most cherished original creations is Emulewu the Taxi Driver, a clever, palm-wine-loving character whose humour and relatability resonated deeply with everyday Nigerians.
Emulewu reflected lived realities with wit, warmth, and cultural truth, earning thousands of loyal fans.
His newspaper illustrations further strengthened his influence.
Through Vanguard Newspapers, Oguntade created enduring comic strips such as:
- Mama Twins
- Mojo
- The Blood Brothers
- Okadigbo – his most recent strip, still running in daily prints
His work also appeared in The Punch and Daily Times, reinforcing his position as a cornerstone of Nigerian newspaper illustration.
From Lagos to the World : Without Losing His Roots
Morak Oguntade’s career didn’t stop at Nigeria’s borders.
During his time in the United Kingdom, he expanded his creative reach, working with Toxic Magazine and Fleetway, where he contributed illustrations to Judge Dredd stories and several independent comic projects.
Moving between Lagos, Nigeria, and Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, Oguntade carried Nigerian storytelling into global comic spaces without watering it down.
His work proved that local stories could sit confidently on international platforms authentic, recognisable, and respected.
That balance positioned him as both a Nigerian pioneer and a globally relevant creative force.
Always Evolving: Art Beyond One Medium
For Morak Oguntade, illustration was never a limit, it was a starting point.
Over the years, he explored sculpture, painting, animation, and digital art, constantly pushing himself to grow beyond a single form of expression.
This willingness to experiment and adapt reflects a creative mind that refuses to stand still.
His transition into digital illustration in recent years is a reminder that longevity in the arts isn’t just about talent, it’s about curiosity, openness, and the courage to evolve with time.
With Blood Wars, Chima Kalu delivered art that was bold, clear, and unforgettable making his win as Best Comic Artist of the Year not just fitting, but inevitable.
A Living Legacy, Still in Motion
In December 2024, Oguntade announced the revival of his comic series Jynx: Age of Darkness.
A project that explores themes of spiritual warfare while aiming to inspire and educate young people. The return of Jynx is not about revisiting the past, it’s about continuing a mission rooted in purpose and impact.
Even after more than four decades, his work remains relevant.
His bold, expressive, and unmistakably Nigerian style continues to influence generations of illustrators, bridge comics with mainstream media, and strengthen African representation in global visual culture.
This is why the Lifetime Achievement Award matters.
It honours not just the years, but the influence, a body of work shaped by passion, consistency, and love for the craft. As Oguntade himself puts it simply:
“Most importantly, I absolutely love art.”
That love lives on in every story told, every character created, and every artist inspired by his journey.