We were lucky to catch up with Osadumebi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Osadumebi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
Growing up in Nigeria, I always had a flair for the creative. Whether singing in choirs or performing with drama groups, I was happiest when immersed in artistic expression. However, pursuing a creative career wasn’t exactly on the table. Back in the day, and to some degree even now, it was seen as a lovely hobby – constructive, even – but professionally? High risk, low yield. In a resource-limited environment, the collective wisdom was to choose a path that promised stability and a reliable income.
At 19, I moved to the UK to study Law, and that’s when providence decided to spice things up.
I took A-Level Law, failed, resat, and eventually got a place at university. But by then, questions began to bubble up – questions I probably would not have dared to ask back in Nigeria, let alone explore. In the UK though, I had the space to wonder, amongst other things: Is a career in Law what I really want? And I had the space and resources to explore other possibilities.
So, off I went to Australia to chase one of those bubbling questions: Is the God I grew up believing in real? I needed to know if the faith I professed was truly mine – uncoerced, unborrowed, and far from blind. I spent a few years at a Leadership/Bible College, followed by a working holiday visa. The plan was to head to America after Australia to study Communication and Journalism. Except … surprise! I never made it to America. Providence intervened again; I stayed in the UK and got a degree in English and Cultural Studies instead. Post-graduation, I landed a role as a Project Manager for a Tech Consultancy – a far cry from anything resembling my creative expressions of once upon a time.
I know, no rhyme or reason to the seemingly disparate experiences. But that’s the charm of providence: in the moment, it rarely makes sense. With time, and the right perspective, you start to see a yellow brick road emerging beneath your feet, one you’ve been traversing all along.
Fast forward to 2020 and the first lockdown. The global pause brought with it both grief and clarity. As the hamster wheel of the tech consulting travelling life ground to a halt, those familiar questions returned. This time, I had the luxury of reflecting on them – and more importantly, the bandwidth to explore the answers.
Two moments in lockdown became pivotal.
First, audiobooks became more of a thing in my routine. I remember listening to one in particular, written by a Nigerian author I admired and narrated by a voice artist I respected, it was almost perfect. Almost. The narration transported me into an alternate reality – until it came to pronouncing Nigerian names, places, and traditions. Each mispronunciation yanked me out of the story, leaving me miffed. In this day and age, I thought, storytelling – especially performed storytelling – needs to be more authentic and accurate. Subjective, I know, but that’s a conversation for another day.
Second, I discovered a weeklong VoiceOver Acting Masterclass hosted by VoiceOver Workshop and Media Nigeria. I signed up, attended, and by the end of the first session, I knew. My future belonged to the creative and artistic path I’d always longed for. Specifically, VoiceOver Acting.
Looking back, the journey may not have been linear, but it’s uniquely mine. From choirs in Nigeria to project management in tech, every step led me here – to a career where I can contribute to authentic and accurate storytelling.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Have you ever felt that pang of disappointment when a story – promised to be about your people, your home, and your culture – falls flat on authenticity? It’s like scanning a crowded room for a familiar face, only to spot a blurry mirage that almost, but not quite, resembles it. For me, this dissonance hit particularly hard in audio performances, where the gap between promise and delivery can jolt you right out of the experience. That frustration became the fuel for my passion: to create something authentic, meaningful, and true to the culture it represents.
After discovering my passion for VoiceOver (VO) Acting during a lockdown masterclass, I plunged into research mode.
A friend already active in VO pointed me toward Edge Studio, where I’ve since taken several (virtual) classes. I didn’t stop there – I devoured Udemy courses and explored other platforms, learning not just VO artistry but also audio production, social media strategy, and the ins and outs of running a small business. My YouTube watch history became a masterclass in itself, and I subscribed to newsletters that kept me informed and inspired. Meanwhile, my spare room transformed into a hybrid home office/studio – a sanctuary for trial, error, and triumphs; a constantly evolving space that reflects my growing expertise.
With countless ideas buzzing in my head, I decided to focus first on audiobook narration – a genre I’m strategically building toward. While I aim to be a versatile narrator, my true passion lies in collaborating with Nigerian writers and authors to bring their stories to life through audio.
My mission is to inspire, educate, and connect global audiences while celebrating the distinct voice of Nigerian stories.
To kick-start this mission, I launched a storytelling podcast, Stories are…, where I collaborate with Nigerian writers and authors to perform short stories, blending their words with my voice to create something fresh and engaging. The podcast also serves as a gateway to working with independent authors, helping them turn their published works into audiobooks. So far, I’ve narrated and produced audiobooks for a couple of incredible authors, each project affirming my passion and purpose.
Recently, I reached a major milestone – being selected for the 2025 Penguin Random House Audio Narrator Mentorship Program. For six months, I will be mentored by one of Penguin’s producers – a priceless opportunity to hone my craft and deepen my industry knowledge.
Reflecting on the journey so far, I can say it’s been a rollercoaster of learning, growth, and discovery. From the initial disappointment that sparked my passion to slowly but surely carving out my place in the creative space, this storyteller is looking forward to many more narratives.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
As a Nigerian/British voice over talent, my goals are to master, amplify, represent and collaborate.
Master voice acting and audio production skills to become a versatile and sought-after narrator within the audiobook industry, capable of handling a wide range of genres and styles.
Amplify by narrating works by Nigerian authors to bring more visibility to Nigerian literature and stories, highlighting the rich cultural heritage and diverse voices of the country.
Ensure authentic representation of Nigerian accents, dialects, and cultural nuances in audiobook narrations; contributing to accurate and respectful storytelling.
Collaborate by partnering with independent Nigerian authors and publishers representing Nigerian authors to bring their works to life in audio format, thus supporting the Nigerian literary community.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Amongst the many…
Mindset by Dr Carol S. Dweck
Art & Fear: Observations On The Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Boyles & Ted Orland
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osadumebi/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/osadumebi?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=2258d37c-6a34-443a-ae9a-777e9fb231ae
Image Credits
Not applicable