Idris Olorunnimbe

"The most important thing was that we started with an open mind. We had a plan, but we understood that the only thing constant in life is change. And that we had to be flat-footed so that we could adjust to the world because we’re not building a company that will be in isolation with what the realities are. We also knew that there will be changes because of growth and we were prepared for it. So every step of the way where we were mindful of what’s happening around us, and adjusting accordingly for optimization."

"It’s been herculean. It’s been very tough because we’re doing what hasn’t been done before. There was no model. So, when you do what hasn’t been done before, it means that people can use you as a guinea pig. They learn quickly from your mistakes so they don’t have to make them and they can quickly leapfrog from the right things that you have done. So, it’s been tough, but rewarding. And I think that the reason we’ve been able to survive is because of the people of The Temple, my colleagues. There have been changes because not many people who started this journey with us are still here. Somehow, along the way, we’ve been able to find and work with people who share ideals and values with us, people who believe in the vision and the dream. And so at every point of the way, it’s always been the people. Also importantly, the funding because without the resources all you can just do is to plan. So, we’ve had the resources as well, and the people. Thanks to the board and the investors in The Temple Company who have helped us to continue to forge ahead."

"I would like to say that we are firm believers in doing, which makes us doers and not talkers because talk is cheap. So every time that there’s been a need, we have gone out to find a way to get something done about it and fill that need. With regards to infrastructure, when stakeholders were complaining about lack of world-class studio facilities, we went on to build ours. Today, we are very proud of Ogidi Studios. And that’s not to say that there are no other studios, some of which are in operation while others are in development."

"And like I said, when we launched Ogidi Studios; it was the best at the time and still the best in my humble opinion. And the studio that will be better than Ogidi Studios will still be developed by The Temple Company and it is coming. You can watch this space. With regards to capacity building, right from when we founded this company, we have run master-classes at no cost to attendees and in partnership with thought-leaders in the industry across different areas. We recently partnered with the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the University of Lagos and the Henley Business School to train about 1000 people, physically and virtually. We trained people in sound design, production design, songwriting, media studies and filmmaking, etc Again, we just go out and get things done. So, are we where we want to be? No. However, we’re in a better place. We intend to train some more in partnership with the Lagos State government and the Federal government of Nigeria. The more we address the deficits in talent, skill, and infrastructure, the better industry will be, and the better our economy will be."

"Considering the obvious fact that you came from public service to the entertainment creative space to disrupt the norm, how well or bad would you say you have done on a scale of one to 10 and then why?"

"If you reflect on your question and the value that you quoted, it just shows you the potential for growth. What is going to happen when we do everything professionally? In the creative industry, unprofessionalism is also a word that is relative because there are really no rules. Let’s take music for instance, sometimes the music that you make on your phone in the middle of the night that you think is not refined might be the one to win you awards. Meanwhile, the one that you sat in the studio that took you two weeks, 14 producers and 18 songwriters might not take off. So, every stakeholder spanning the entire stretch of the industry is a potential contributor to the financial size and value of the industry."

"Starting out The Temple Company, one of the talents you had on board is Bisola Aiyeola amongst others but she seems to be the last woman standing after 7 years – albeit doing great exploits – tell me the story behind the synergy."

"Well, it’s not just Bisola that is still with us. But I’ll talk about Bisola as a reference point for all the other talents that are still here after all this while. I think it’s really simple. There are no shortcuts for anybody who signs to The Temple Company intending to cash out real quick. Their expectations will not be met. This is because we believe very strongly in planning, research, and detailing. We also understand that it’s actually a long game. Your intention is not to have a career that is going to last for one year. So it is something that we have to continue to build. There are many ‘yeses’ that you will not be happy to say that you must say and there are many ‘nos’ that you would have to say that in the short term might not make a lot of sense to you as a talent. So again, it is about shared vision, goals and mutual understanding that every day will not be Christmas. So we’ll be there with you during the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’. There’s also the fact that our talent services are divided into two, management, and agency clients. For management clients, it is a 360 service that is also exclusive. However, our agency clients are at liberty to sign multi-agency agreements. When we find things that suit you, we’ll reach out to you. You earn, we share."

"Again, it is always about the people. Everything revolves around people. The people in government need us outside the government and the people outside the government need the people in government. So, we’re partners in progress. I did work in the public sector, so it gives me some experience. However, I don’t think it gives us any unfair advantage. I think what it has just done is that it makes us better prepared to help solve problems. Now that I am wearing the shoes of the private sector, it also helps me to know where the shoes pinches the most and in that regard, I advise the government or make requests that will be beneficial to all parties concerned."

"I will refer to an African proverb that says that if you want to go fast, go alone and if you want to go far, go with people. In any case, collaboration is the new competition. We ask ourselves a lot, what is the value of all of nothing when you can own a part of something. Now, time is also of the essence and it is in our best interest for us to be able to move and to reap the highest number in the quickest possible time. So collaboration is critical. And I mean, we just had to try it. So, once we find people who want the same things as us, or share our values, we are always eager to work with them for the greater good. So, it’s not about me or about The Temple Company, it is about Lagos, Nigeria, Africa and the world. And when it is about the world, we can go that extra mile to get the best results."

"Well, I don’t think we have really started yet. We’re only scratching the surface at the moment. I don’t think I’m going to feel like I’ve been able to achieve anything until our studio lot is done and we can embark on multi-million-dollar productions of international franchises in Lagos or Nigeria. Until when we can have a production of global standards with a budget of over $200 million, being executed in Lagos or any part of Nigeria, then we haven’t started. I think if you look at the average budget of a film project in global economies such as North America and the UK, it is worth sometimes everything that we have put out in the month. So until when we are able to accommodate that. I’m talking about when we have our film city or film village. At that stage when we can be carrying out multiple projects on a daily and monthly basis. When we can have the capacity to fully engage the majority of the young Nigerians who are keen on participating in the creative industry, then maybe I will feel special but right now, I just feel like there’s a lot more to get done. We are playing our part, we are adding our own quota. We are pushing the limits. We are going to continue to lead in any and every way that is positive. So, how do I feel? I feel like there is a long way ahead and we will get it done by God."

"I’m excited because the things that need to be done on a national scale have been done at the sub-national level in Lagos. The incoming president is exposed. He understands the power of the creative industry. He understands the power of tourism, and has played a significant role in the creative industry when he was the Governor of Lagos state. A lot of the things that we have done in Lagos just need to be replicated in other places. We have done the testing and it works. So it excites me what this incoming administration has to do. So I think his previous experience in governance will come to play in our favour."

"So we have a few projects that are coming on in television, film, and concerts. Some of them I can talk about and some of them I can’t talk about yet. There’s something huge coming up in December in Lagos. ‘Introducing the Kujus’ won an AMVCA award last year and we have done a sequel called ‘The Kujus Again’. This time the movie features Don Jazzy who is appearing for the first time in a movie. We’re also going to go into the production of a series for young people that touches on culture, Lagos, tourism etc, principal photography begins in May."

"We also just finished filming Ward 10, a limited series that will be released on one of the Video on Demand (VOD) platforms later in the year. ‘I Am Number’ with Bisola is coming as well as ‘Naija Meter’ with Mimi Onalaja. My guys and I have been busy. And then of course, also coming is the film city or village that we are going to lead and deliver over the next few years and perhaps decade."