Actors
For aspiring and developing actors. Acting craft, auditions, self-tapes, showreels, branding, set etiquette and how to find opportunities.
LEARN. CREATE. CONNECT. EARN.
Turn your talent into a career in entertainment.
Six weeks of practical entertainment training online. One physical industry week in Lagos. A community that continues beyond graduation.
Cohort 1 begins 13th November 2026 · Limited places ·
Who is Sandra Okunzuwa?
She once had the dream. Now, she is building the path for others to achieve theirs.
Sandra Okunzuwa is an award-winning Nigerian actress, filmmaker, producer, lawyer, storyteller and entrepreneur who has spent years turning a passion for entertainment into a career, a platform and now, a movement.
But Sandra's story did not begin with success. It began with a dream — a dream to become an actress and build a life in entertainment, even though she had studied Law and had every reason to follow the conventional path.
Choosing entertainment meant having to prove that her passion was more than just a dream. She had to learn the industry, build her name, create opportunities, overcome rejection, make mistakes, take risks and keep going when the journey was far from easy. And she did.
From standing in front of the camera as an aspiring actress, Sandra evolved into a producer and filmmaker, taking stories from ideas on paper to audiences across Nigeria and beyond. She has featured in 100+ films and produced 50+ movies, with her work reaching audiences through cinema, Netflix, Prime Video, television and YouTube.
Her production journey includes Something Like Gold, which she produced and starred in and which became a notable Nigerian box-office success before reaching an even wider audience on Netflix. Her body of work has continued to grow through productions including Joe's Heart, Risking It All, To Love a Thief, Lady of the Night, The Switch, Sarah's Bind and many others.
Her work has been recognised both in Nigeria and internationally, including the Africa Choice Awards, the Eko Star Film & TV Award, and the 2025 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival Jury Award for Best Film by a Female Filmmaker (Africa) for Joe's Heart. In 2026, she was also recognised with the CityMag Awards for Best Supporting Actress and the Pan-African Leadership Conference Award for African Creative of the Year (Entertainment).
But perhaps the most important part of Sandra's journey isn't the awards. It is what the journey taught her.
THE LESSON BEHIND THE SUCCESS
Sandra discovered something every creative eventually learns: talent can open the door. But knowledge teaches you how to stay in the room.
She learned that being talented is not enough. You need to understand the industry. You need to know how to position yourself. You need to understand your craft. You need relationships. You need strategy. You need to know how to create opportunities instead of waiting for them. And you need to understand how to turn your creativity into something that can actually sustain you.
Sandra remembers being the person who had the dream but didn't have all the answers — the aspiring creative asking: "Where do I start?" "How do I get opportunities?" "How do I build my name?" "How do I make money from my talent?" "How do I turn this passion into a real career?"
- 8+
- Years in the industry
- 1.1M+
- YouTube Community
- 3M+
- Total social media Community
- 150+
- Film Appearances*
- 50+
- Films Produced*
- 1
- Powerful Ecosystem
A practical school for the business and craft of entertainment.
The academy is a seven-week programme that teaches how the entertainment industry actually works — how to build real skills, create real work, meet the right people, and turn talent into income. Six weeks of structured online learning, mostly pre-recorded so students learn at their own pace, with Sandra hosting one live session every week. Week seven is a physical industry week in Lagos.
Producers & Filmmakers
For people who want to make films and understand production. Script selection, development, budgeting, casting and crew, production, distribution, streaming and promotion.
Content Creators
For YouTubers, TikTok and Instagram creators. Content strategy, filming, storytelling, platform growth, YouTube monetisation and building an audience.
What you'll learn
WEEK 1
Find Your Place in the Entertainment Industry
Understand the entertainment industry, discover your niche or talent, and map out your career path.
WEEK 2
Turn Your Talent Into Skill
Learn how to turn your talent into practical, professional skills across acting, producing, writing, filmmaking and content creation — and how to present yourself with confidence.
WEEK 3
Create Stories People Want to Watch
Go from an idea in your head to a story people can't stop watching. Learn the foundations of compelling storytelling and what makes a script attractive to producers and audiences.
WEEK 4
Directing & Leadership on Set
Learn to Lead the Story. Understand directing fundamentals, working with actors, visual storytelling, blocking, camera direction, directing scenes, and the producer–director relationship.
WEEK 5
Production, Audience & Execution
Learn how to take a project from script to screen, collaborate across departments, manage production, promote your work, and build an audience.
WEEK 6
YouTube, Content Creation & Digital Entertainment
Turn Your Content Into an Opportunity. Learn how to create content people want to watch, grow an audience, use YouTube strategically, monetize your content, and turn your digital presence into income.
WEEK 7
The Lagos Industry Week
FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE REAL WORLD. End your journey with a physical industry experience featuring practical workshops, auditions, networking, set exposure, a final showcase, and the Sandra Okunzuwa Entertainment Academy Awards & Dinner. Exceptional students may be considered for future opportunities on Sandra Okunzuwa TV productions.
WEEK 7
The Lagos Industry Week
The programme ends in person. A final showcase, practical industry workshops, real networking, and behind-the-scenes exposure to how a professional production operates. Sandra and the academy team review exceptional students for consideration on future productions.
WHY JOIN THE SANDRA OKUNZUWA ENTERTAINMENT ACADEMY?
Why Join the Sandra Okunzuwa Entertainment Academy?
Build a Real Portfolio
Weekly practical assignments that help you create work you can actually use and showcase.
Learn From Industry Professionals
Access recorded masterclasses from experienced professionals actively working in entertainment.
Learn Directly From Sandra
Join a live session with Sandra every week and learn from her real industry experience.
Join a Community That Grows With You
Connect with ambitious creatives, build relationships, collaborate and become part of the Sandra Okunzuwa creative community.
Stay Connected Beyond Graduation
Join an alumni network that continues to create opportunities for learning, collaboration and connection.
Get Recognised for Your Potential
Exceptional students may receive merit-based consideration for future opportunities on Sandra Okunzuwa TV productions and within the Academy’s creative ecosystem.
Leave With More Than a Certificate
Graduate with practical knowledge, stronger skills, professional tools, new connections and a clearer path forward.
Don’t just learn about the industry. Become part of it.
CHOOSE YOUR ACADEMY EXPERIENCE
Choose Your Academy Experience
EARLY ENROLMENT CLOSES
30th October 2026
LATE ENROLMENT — ADDITIONAL FEE APPLIES
1st – 10th November 2026
Foundation
₦10,000 → ₦20,000
Professional
₦50,000 → ₦80,000
Elite
₦200,000 → ₦300,000
Loading packages…
YOUR JOURNEY
One Academy. One journey. Three levels of access.
₦10K
DISCOVER & DEVELOP
Weeks 1–2
₦50K
DEVELOP, CREATE & DIRECT
Weeks 1–4
₦200K
LEARN, CREATE, CONNECT & EXPERIENCE
Weeks 1–7
One Academy. One journey. Three levels of access.
Selection for Sandra Okunzuwa TV productions and Academy Awards & Dinner opportunities is based on performance, participation, talent, assignments and overall commitment throughout the Academy. No package guarantees casting, employment or paid work.
ENROLMENT CLOSES
COHORT 1 BEGINS
13th November 2026
ONLINE WEEKS 1–6
13th November – 24th December 2026
LAGOS INDUSTRY WEEK
11th – 17th January 2027
Enrol
Questions
Do I need experience?
No. The programme is built for people starting out as well as those already working who want structure and industry understanding.
Do I need to be in Lagos?
No. Weeks 1–6 are fully online. Only Week 7 (Elite package only) is physical, in Lagos.
How much time will I need each week?
Lessons are pre-recorded so you can watch on your own schedule, plus live sessions and a practical assignment each week.
What equipment do I need?
A phone with a camera and a stable internet connection is enough to complete the programme.
How do I get into the community?
Immediately after payment you'll receive your WhatsApp community link on screen and by email.
Can I upgrade my package later?
Yes. You can upgrade at any point before the Lagos industry week by paying the difference between your package and the higher one. Email hello@sandraokunzuwaacademy.com and the team will send you an upgrade link.
Is the fee refundable?
Fees are fully refundable up to 7 days before the cohort begins. Once the programme starts the fee is non-refundable, but your place can be transferred to the next cohort once.
Who do I contact for help?
Email hello@sandraokunzuwaacademy.com or message +234 816 957 8377 on WhatsApp. The team replies within one working day.