By Joy Joseph
Mrs. Olaide Turner-Moyet, Director of Alliance Française Ibadan and accomplished multidisciplinary artist, believes that art holds the key to healing and revitalizing Nigeria’s future. With a rich background spanning over 25 years in education, cultural advocacy, and creative entrepreneurship, Turner-Moyet’s journey illustrates how art can inspire purpose and foster social transformation.
Growing up immersed in artistic expression, from drawing and painting to performance, Turner-Moyet sees creativity not only as a personal calling but as a vital tool for community empowerment and change.
“Art has always been the heartbeat behind everything I do. It gave me purpose, and I believe it can give Nigeria hope,” she says.
Turner-Moyet’s diverse career includes roles as an educator across multiple disciplines, translator, interpreter, and cultural entrepreneur. She once ran a successful business promoting African textiles and crafts, weaving cultural storytelling into commerce by bringing Nigerian fabrics and handmade beads to appreciative markets in the Republic of Benin.
Her academic credentials include a B.A. in Classics from the University of Ibadan, a French diploma from Benin Republic, and an Art and Design diploma from Leeds City College, UK. She is also a Fellow of the Ecolerite Institute of Peace Advancement.
As Director, Turner-Moyet is pioneering innovative ways to make French language learning engaging and accessible through interactive methods such as games and mnemonics. She is building Alliance Française Ibadan into a vibrant cultural hub that hosts exhibitions, artist residencies, workshops, and fosters artistic exchanges within West Africa.
“We want to build regional solidarity through culture, welcoming artists from neighbouring countries and showcasing Nigerian talent abroad,” she notes.
Turner-Moyet emphasizes the importance of mastering French in Nigeria, surrounded by Francophone nations. She highlights the role of language as a tool for trade, diplomacy, and regional cooperation.
“Language is power. To lead in West Africa, Nigeria must be fluent in both English and French,” she asserts.
Reflecting on her leadership style, Turner-Moyet stresses empathy, purpose, and inclusivity. She calls on women leaders to embrace their unique gifts and use them to nurture communities and heal societal divisions.
“Women carry life not just physically but ideologically. Leadership means birthing ideas, nurturing visions, and protecting what matters,” she says.
To young women aspiring to lead, her advice is clear: “Embrace your story, learn from every experience, and lead with wisdom and compassion when your moment comes.”
Turner-Moyet champions art as a powerful vehicle for reflection and change. Through initiatives like the Young Artists Art Hub and Art Theraparty, she integrates art with therapy and community engagement, encouraging Nigerians to rethink their identity and aspirations.
“Art helps us ask: Who were we? Who are we now? Who do we want to become? If we’re unhappy with the present, art can help us tell a new story based on integrity, creativity, and community,” she explains.
Her work also includes facilitating the PneumArt Workshop within the Pneuma-City Project, a collaborative effort focused on mental wellness, sustainable development, and social inclusion.
In a fast-changing world, Turner-Moyet encourages Nigerians to build character, work smart, and live with integrity beyond just acquiring knowledge.
“Live a life that matters. Seek creative solutions. Think deeply. Build a Nigeria grounded in meaning and purpose,” she urges.
