As Spoof Animation celebrates a remarkable 10 years of growth, creativity, and global recognition, Comic Panel brings you an exclusive and insightful interview with the visionary founder, Ayodele Elegba. From humble beginnings in a small room to becoming a powerhouse in Nigerian animation, Elegba opens up about the origins, challenges, and future of Spoof Animation in a candid conversation.
1. Origins
What inspired the creation of Spoof Animation, and how did it all begin?
“Earlier in the year, I sensed God instructing me to resign from my role as Assistant Broadcast Manager at Daystar Christian Centre. At first, I resisted. It didn’t make sense. The instruction felt risky, uncomfortable, and premature. But the impression grew stronger in my heart, persistent and unmistakable, until obedience became inevitable.
I resigned with no savings and no financial safety net. At the time, my wife was pregnant, and the decision felt like stepping off a cliff with nothing but faith beneath my feet. Still, I was convinced God was speaking to me.
Months passed in uncertainty. No job. No clear direction. Eventually, I returned to God with a single question: What do You want me to do next with my life?
In a quiet moment of prayer in my parlour, the answer came with clarity and authority: “Do animation. Do 2D.”
I rose from that place changed. From that moment on, my mind was consumed with one thing, 2D animation. What began as a step of faith became a calling, and that instruction would go on to shape everything that followed”.
2. Why Animation in Nigeria?
What made you believe Nigeria needed animation, and why did you choose to pursue it?
“To be honest, I didn’t fully understand why at the time. It began simply as obedience to God’s voice. In that season of my life, my heart was deeply devoted to Him, and my greatest desire was to please Him, even when the path ahead was unclear.
What followed was a journey of discovery. Step by step, I had to learn what it truly meant to build and run a 2D animation studio, relying on God’s guidance and direction at every turn. There was no blueprint, only faith, learning, and daily obedience.
Looking back, it all made sense. I had always loved animation. As a teenager, I spent hours experimenting with cell animation at just sixteen years old. Even while studying Microbiology at Yaba College of Technology, I found myself reading animation books, drawn constantly to the craft of bringing drawings to life.
In many ways, it felt like life coming full circle. Animation wasn’t a detour, it was the destination. It became clear that this was what I would dedicate the rest of my life to. I love creating, and animation gives me the privilege of doing that every single day, turning imagination, faith, and purpose into living stories”.
3. The Journey
Was Spoof’s growth more about hard work and strategy, or did luck play a role?
“Yes, hard work is essential, but I also believe that every business needs a moment of grace, that convergence of preparation and opportunity many people call luck. Being in the right place at the right time.
For us at SPOOF, that moment came unexpectedly. One day, someone walked into our small one-room office and asked a simple question: “Are you applying for the Digital Lab Africa competition?” I had never heard of it before. No plans. No preparation. Just a split second to decide.
I remember thinking, What do I really have to lose? So we applied, blindly, honestly, and with faith.
We were selected. And from that moment, everything changed. Winning that competition opened doors we didn’t even know existed, access to mentors, resources, and global exposure that completely shifted our trajectory.
Looking back, it didn’t feel like luck alone. It felt like preparation meeting divine timing. And that single decision helped position SPOOF for the journey that followed”.
4. Challenges
What has been the biggest challenge Spoof Animation has faced so far?
“One of the biggest challenges we faced was finding our voice. We had the courage and the passion to pursue animation, and every day we were learning, improving, and growing, but we didn’t yet understand where we truly belonged within the animation ecosystem.
For a long time, our direction felt uncertain. Our style wasn’t fully formed, and our audience wasn’t clearly defined. We also wrestled deeply with identity. Were we an IP-driven studio, focused on creating and owning our own stories? Or were we a service studio, helping others bring their dreams to life?
That lack of clarity slowed us down more than any external obstacle.
Much later, after experience, reflection, and hard lessons, we found our answer. We discovered our voice, our style, and the audience we were called to serve. More importantly, we understood who we were as a company, and once that clicked, everything else began to align.
With focus came momentum. Challenges that once felt overwhelming, funding, attracting clients, sustaining the studio, paying salaries, began to resolve themselves. Not because they disappeared, but because we were finally moving with clarity and purpose.
Finding our identity changed everything”.
5. Standing Out
Spoof Animation is regarded as one of the top animation studios in Nigeria. What do you think you’re doing differently?
“One of the things that truly sets us apart is our deliberate choice to be a global brand. We knew all the negative things said about Nigeria and we wanted to change all that. So we chose integrity and excellence in the early days of SPOOF. We really wanted to be more than just a Nigerian company.
We also leaned into the hard things, the very things many others were running away from. Action animation is not easy. It demands precision, stamina, and a high level of technical and creative discipline. But instead of avoiding it, we embraced it. That’s where we found our strength. That’s where we flourished.
We love crafting dynamic action sequences, stories filled with movement, tension, and energy, and pushing them to a level of quality and polish that carries global appeal. Our goal has always been to create work that makes people pause and say, “This came out of Nigeria?”
That commitment became our edge. By choosing difficulty over comfort, we carved out a distinct identity and positioned ourselves on a global stage, without losing our roots”.
6. Growth (One Word)
In one word, how would you define growth?
“If I had to describe our growth in one word, it would be incremental, steady, intentional, and compounding over time.
When we started SPOOF, we set a clear ten-year vision for ourselves. We made a conscious decision not to rush the process. Instead, we chose patience, focusing on the fundamentals and paying the price required to truly become an animation studio, not just act like one.
We invested heavily in ourselves. We trained, learned, failed, improved, and developed our skills with discipline and humility. We understood that if we could get the basics right and remain faithful to our core values—PLEAS—growth would be inevitable.
And that belief proved true. Step by step, year by year, our progress compounded. What began as small, deliberate actions eventually became measurable growth, solid foundations, and lasting impact”.
7. Recognition Moment
How did it feel when Spoof gained major recognition from international animation platforms and blogs?
“It was an unforgettable moment. I still remember pitching my animated series in Annecy, France, in 2017, standing before major broadcasters and buyers from around the world. In that instant, I felt on top of the world, as though I had finally arrived.
But with time and experience, I’ve come to understand a deeper truth: success is not a destination, it’s a journey. Yesterday’s wins cannot carry you into tomorrow, especially in an industry as fast-moving as animation.
The landscape is constantly evolving. Technology changes. Audience tastes shift. Industry expectations rise. To remain relevant, you must keep learning, keep adapting, and keep growing.
That experience taught me that real success isn’t defined by a single milestone, but by the discipline to evolve, year after year, while staying faithful to your vision”.
8. Award-Winning & Festival Selections
Ajaka: Lost in Rome won Best 2D Animation at LIFANIMA 2023 after selections at AFRIFF and LIFANIMA. Also, Uniquely Me, your 3D short film, was selected at the Miami Tech Summit 2025. What did these milestones mean to you and the studio?
“These recognitions became fuel for the journey. They reassured me that we were on the right path and gave me the confidence to double down, to work harder, go deeper, and do even more.
At the same time, I’m careful not to let awards or applause get to my head. I remain mindful of our humble beginnings, and I hold tightly to the understanding that what we see of SPOOF today is only a glimpse. It is nothing compared to the grandeur and future God has already shown me.
That perspective keeps me grounded and hungry, grateful for how far we’ve come, but fully aware that the best is still ahead”.
9. Advice to Upcoming Studios
What’s one key lesson upcoming animation studios should know?
“My advice to upcoming animation studios is simple: keep your head down and do the work. Learn to walk properly before you try to run.
Many young creatives want to become Ayodele Elegba overnight. They want to build SPOOF in one year, forgetting that what they see today is the result of ten years of discipline, sacrifice, learning, and growth. There are no shortcuts,only seasons.
Most importantly, find a mentor you can trust. Someone who has walked the path before you and can help you avoid unnecessary mistakes. Learning from guidance is far cheaper than learning from regret.
Stay patient. Stay teachable. If you commit to the process, your time will surely come”.
10. What’s Next
What can we expect from Spoof Animation in the coming year?
“SPOOF will continue to grow. That is certain.
Our ambition is clear, to produce a feature-length animated film, and we are fully committed to making it happen. By God’s grace and through years of preparation, discipline, and belief in the process, we are setting our sights on 2026.
This is not a dream we are rushing into; it is the natural next step of a journey years in the making. And we are going for it with focus, faith, and conviction”.
Moving Forward: The Future of Spoof Animation
Ayodele Elegba’s story and the journey of Spoof Animation show a remarkable blend of faith, discipline, and creative passion. As Spoof celebrates its 10th anniversary, the studio stands as a beacon of excellence and innovation in the African animation industry. Their commitment to authenticity and quality continues to open new doors, and the animation community eagerly awaits their upcoming projects.
Join the Conversation
Which part of Ayodele Elegba’s journey resonates with you the most? Have you been inspired by Spoof Animation’s story or their work? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below or tag a friend who should know about this incredible story. Stay tuned to Comic Panel for more exclusive interviews and updates from Africa’s leading animation studios.