Days&Nites is committed to spotlighting Lagos' creative talent and contemporary culture through authentic storytelling. By doing the impactful work, the company is highlighting and amplifying the local creative scene. According to the founder, Imran Claud-Ennin, it's so artists, musicians, video producers, and other tastemaker visionaries will know they don't have to look to the West for success and inspiration.
Established in 2017, Days&Nites has blossomed into a full-service creative agency catering to a variety of businesses and industry-shaping individuals. It offers short-form video, documentary, and podcast production, in addition to social media content, creative direction, and event development. Days&Nites’ global audience includes industry insiders, creatives of all expertise, and those trying to tap into Lagos' contemporary cultural scene. The agency's three channels are "Days," its commercial work; "Nites," its entertainment work; and "Studio," its in-house creativity lab.
The brand has worked with numerous heavy hitters within Lagos and the creative African diaspora, including NATIVE, Cultural Custodian, and WAFFLESNCREAM. Moreover, they've collaborated on events for Jameson Irish Whiskey, the musical duo Show Dem Camp, and Lagos Fashion Week, to name a few.
The agency also produces and shares its own branded content. The Days&Nites series Get To Know features budding creatives sharing their journeys to more and more visibility and success. Creative CTRL, another Days&Nites series, showcases established industry shapers and entrepreneurs. Across its offerings, the agency has interviewed musical talent manager Muyiwa Awoniyi, Street Souk founder Iretidayo Zaccheaus, photographer Danielle Mbonu, Mainland BlockParty founder Tobi Mohammed, singer/rapper SGaWD, and many more.
In the clip below, Days&Nites interviewed Pith Africa co-founders Adedayo Laketu, Nez Anazodo, and Cosmas Ojemen.
"I feel like we should have a place where we can go within home, which is Nigeria for us. We should be able to tell our stories and make it a big deal," said Claud-Ennin. "[Days&Nites] shows the work going on behind the scenes to inspire people trying to be in similar positions as those in our projects. We don't only want them looking at people in the Western world as examples."
Days&Nites’ ethos strongly emphasizes authentic storytelling for Africans, by Africans — and doing it now. Additionally, the company operates so that both big-name and budding creatives get the spotlight.
"Whenever we're highlighting something, we're trying to make the same impact," Claud-Ennin explained. "So whether it be like a big name, or we're showcasing someone because they should be a big name, that's how we're thinking about it. And we just have to start now [with highlighting those budding creatives] as opposed to waiting until they become big."
The agency's debut built upon Claud-Ennin's passion for shooting and editing videos, which blossomed during his studies in London. The company's name pulls from the founder's love of the "start to finish" completion of time lapses, which he says is "kind of like days and nights."
Regarding the current state of Lagos' creative economy, Claud-Ennin said, "I think it's evolving, but it needs to be more independent and more self-sufficient… We should have an industry where someone straight from school can apply for a grant, try, and shoot their own movie. And there's a platform that's helping them."
"Also, I don't think there are enough women," he added. "I say that because every time I want to shoot a creative venture, I run down the list, and it's like, why can't I get enough women featured in this? It's a problem. But it's our job to highlight as many as possible who are doing good work. And that's what we try to do with some of the series Days&Nites has right now. We’re intentional about making sure women are represented in all of the things we do, both in front of and behind the camera.”
A part of how the agency is helping creatives in Lagos is through its creative studio in Victoria Island. It provides workspaces, photoshoot space, audiovisual equipment, and professional support that local photographers, podcasters, and content creators can use to further their pursuits.
Regarding what the world can expect from Days&Nites in the future, Claud-Ennin said, "All things bigger and better – and being consistent."
Learn more via Days&Nites.