With nearly a decade of experience spanning presenting, producing, storytelling, and talent management, Chidera Okonji “Odera Collins” has established herself as a formidable force in the creative industry. Her passion for storytelling is evident in her work in film and documentary production, where she blends compelling narratives with striking visuals, solidifying her reputation as a leader in creative production.
Odera’s eloquence and professionalism have earned her the stage at high-profile events like TEDx and the Enugu Fashion Roundtable, where she has captivated audiences with her engaging presence. As a skilled voice-over artist, she has collaborated with top brands such as Zenith Bank, Wicrypt, Moniepoint, and various government parastatals, delivering performances that resonate.
Her tenure as the Director of Experience at BlueAfric Media saw her spearheading human capital expansion, nurturing young talent, and refining brand communications. Her commitment to women’s empowerment is reflected in impactful campaigns like the Blueprint Africa Women’s Month Campaign, showcasing her dedication to creating spaces where women thrive.
Odera’s ability to balance creativity with leadership has made her a sought-after name in media and production. Whether amplifying voices through documentaries, mentoring emerging creatives, or designing powerful campaigns, she remains committed to fostering talent, championing women, and telling stories that leave a lasting impact.
Gutsy Interview with Odera Collins
1. Your career spans event hosting, talent management, and creative production. What moment or project would you say was a turning point for you as a storyteller?
In my journey, l think every project in some way has built me up. Every project adds one thing; it could be how I manage some situations, it could be adding to emotional intelligence, it could be opening me to a whole new aspect of the technicalities of my work.So really, each project is different for me and have served as building blocks on the path that I’m on.
2. You’ve led impactful campaigns like the “Blueprint Africa Women’s Month Campaign.” What inspired you to focus on narratives around women, and what stories do you think are still untold?
When we initiated the campaign for Blueprint Afric, it was largely because I wanted to stir up conversations that fostered growth and all round capacity building. It’s important that we keep educating alongside celebrating women who stand out in their various sectors. It was important that we did that, paying homage to womanhood, and that was the goal with the women’s campaign.
We haven’t passed down the stories of great women who have walked our continent , to the present generation. Which is very essential. This can be a hindrance, because when a people do not know who they are or well enough about their history; it could place certain limitations on them. So I think it’s very important that we start telling the stories of African women from times past and even present day.
3. You’ve worn many hats, From hosting TEDx Nza to producing documentaries like Uruudiya and Enugu Silicon. How do you balance the creative demands of storytelling with leadership roles in production?
Balance is non-existent in this process because leadership goes hand in hand with every aspect of my work.
So initially it was a learning process for me, I had to quickly understand that self leadership was essential if I was going to achieve anything in all my pursuits, from there on out I would say that it has been learning and capacity building at different levels.On that note, leadership is an integral aspect of the work that I do.
4. You’re passionate about fostering young talent and shaping company cultures. What do you think is the biggest challenge for emerging creatives today, and how can they overcome it?
I’m very passionate about nurturing young talents because I was also once at that point in my life too and I’ve come to see that it is not just about having potential but it’s also about having direction and picking up the necessary skills both hard and soft to enable one fully reach the zenith.
One thing we lack in our educational system is job market preparatory programs so employers are left with the responsibility to work the potential.
One of the challenges that Creative‘s face in present times firstly would be the need for instant gratification unfortunately due to the advent of social media, which has been a great use to the creative industry but it has also rewired our approach to reward, people now measure career success to things like virality, followership, etc forgetting that those are only stepping stones.
5. Your voice-over work and hosting engagements are known for eloquence and impact. What advice do you have for women who want to build confidence in their communication skills, whether on stage, behind the mic, or in boardrooms?
With building confidence in general, I think it’s first of all important to understand why we think we are not confident, and if you observe it’s mostly in situations where we are scared of the outcome, so to build confidence learn to challenge negative self thought, accept your imperfections, learn new skills, embrace your strength, normalize doing things outside of your comfort zone. the more you do things that you are scare you the more you become a fearless woman.
On a lighter note dress in a way that you feel empowered and always surround yourself things that build you up, learn to take constructive criticism, set realistic goals and crush them, the more you do this more you have faith in capabilities and remember that building confidence is a journey. It is not something that happens overnight so that means you constantly need to invest in that part of you.
For building confidence in speaking, start small speak up in meetings, gatherings get used to your own voice, for bigger platforms ensure you prepare well for every speaking session (preparation is a great confidence booster) and see failure as a learning curve.
6. As we step into 2025, what advice would you give to women and girls striving to make a mark in their fields and embrace new opportunities?
The advice I would give to women who are trying to make a mark in 2025 is simple yet complex, but it is – do good work. Do good work. In fact, do great work, pride yourself in giving value, being competent and disciplined, and doing great work. That is the way to stand out. We don’t talk about this enough, but we live in a society or a world where people often look for value. People are constantly seeking value. So whenever they find someone who can give value, they hold on to that person. So, for every woman out there going into 2025, give value. It is very important, and it is going to make you stand out.
And then, lastly, tell your story. It is important that you tell your story. Network, yes, but at the baseline, give value. Make sure that whenever you’re on a project, that project, there’s something different. You have a touch to that. Yes, that’s the quickest way to stand out. Thank you very much.
Projects and Look Book
