Meet Ubaka Joseph Ugochukwu: WeDiasporan’s First Chief Creative Officer Leading a New Era of Diaspora Storytelling
What if a love story could open new trade routes between continents? What if a film could inspire not just hearts, but economic partnerships, linking the vineyards of Italy to the bustling markets of Nigeria? And what if the bridge between Africa and its global diaspora wasn’t built only with policies or business deals, but through stories that travel across cultures and time?
Learn How to Leverage Your Story through our Story To Asset Framework.
These aren’t just ideas; they are the kinds of bold, imaginative realities now taking shape at WeDiasporan, thanks to the recent appointment of Ubaka Joseph Ugochukwu as the organization’s very first Chief Creative Officer (CCO).
Obehi Ewanfoh, leader of WeDiasporan, first crossed paths with Ubaka Joseph Ugochukwu in Verona back in 2009, a meeting that would quietly plant the seeds of a powerful future collaboration.
Ubaka had been invited to screen his film Trapped Dreams under the “Panorama Africa” category at the African Film Festival of Verona. Even then, Obehi recognized in Ubaka not just an exceptional filmmaker, but a visionary storyteller with a deep sense of cultural purpose.
Over the years, their connection evolved into a lasting friendship built on mutual respect and a shared passion for amplifying African voices. So, when the moment finally came to expand WeDiasporan’s leadership team, Obehi knew exactly who to call.
The invitation for Ubaka to join the organization wasn’t just timely; it felt inevitable. It brought a relationship full circle, rooted in creativity, community, and a commitment to building bridges across the African diaspora through bold, visionary work.
Announced last week by WeDiasporan’s Board of Directors, this new leadership role isn’t just about overseeing artistic initiatives; it’s about positioning creativity as a central force in building meaningful connections across the global African diaspora.
But that’s not all. Ubaka has also stepped into the role of Chief Programs Officer (CPO), ensuring that all of WeDiasporan’s programs, whether artistic, educational, or economic, are not only active but aligned, impactful, and true to the organization’s vision. And he’s already making waves.
Currently, Ubaka is leading the development of a cross-continental film project, a romance set between Nigeria and Italy, with an ambitious side goal: to introduce Italian wine into Nigerian markets.
Though the film project is still in its preliminary phase, it’s a fitting metaphor for his mission to blend cultures, economies, and stories into something new, purposeful, and powerful.
Creativity With Purpose: Why This Role Matters
For WeDiasporan, the creation of the Chief Creative Officer role is a bold affirmation that storytelling isn’t a side project; it’s the heart of transformation. As CCO and CPO, Ubaka Joseph will lead initiatives that bring to life the organization’s three core pillars:
- Cultural Tourism Exchange,
- Dialogue & Mutual Collaboration,
- and Empowerment Through Knowledge Transfer.
What makes Ubaka’s appointment unique is that his approach to creativity is deeply strategic. He doesn’t just direct films, he builds worlds.
Whether through cinema, cross-cultural programming, or educational initiatives, his work is designed to spark connection and drive impact. And now, he’s applying that same visionary energy to WeDiasporan’s expanding global movement.
Why WeDiasporan Believes in The Power Of Collaboration
At WeDiasporan, collaboration is more than a strategy; it is a philosophy rooted in the belief that unity among people of African descent is the key to lasting transformation. The organization recognizes that no single entity or individual can drive systemic change alone.
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By bringing together diverse voices from across Africa and its global diaspora, businesses, creatives, educators, policymakers, and communities, WeDiasporan creates a dynamic ecosystem where shared knowledge, resources, and perspectives generate more impactful outcomes.
This spirit of collective action helps dismantle the silos that have long hindered progress and replaces them with networks of mutual support, innovation, and trust.
WeDiasporan’s commitment to collaboration stems from a deep understanding of the diaspora’s collective strength. Whether through co-created cultural tourism programs, joint economic ventures, or transcontinental storytelling projects, the organization believes that the future lies in partnerships that reflect shared heritage and shared responsibility.
Collaboration empowers communities to solve problems from within, amplifies underrepresented voices, and fosters sustainable development that benefits all. It is through these deliberate acts of working together that WeDiasporan envisions a more connected, empowered, and globally influential African diaspora.
Why I Joined WeDiasporan: Ubaka’s Vision
“As a proud Nigerian, my motivation for joining WeDiasporan is deeply rooted in a desire to reconnect, collaborate, and contribute meaningfully to the empowerment of our shared heritage,” Ubaka explains.
He speaks not just as a creative but as a cultural architect. For him, WeDiasporan isn’t just a network, it’s a movement. One that brings together generations, identities, and experiences to co-author a new chapter in the African diaspora’s story.
“I am driven by a vision of collective progress,” he continues. “Where ideas flow freely, where innovation is nurtured within cultural identity, and where we dismantle isolation to build systems of support that are global in reach and deeply local in impact.”
Ubaka’s motivation is as much about giving as it is about growing. “I seek to contribute my voice, skills, and passion to this vibrant ecosystem—whether through storytelling, advocacy, entrepreneurship, or mentorship. I believe my journey and perspective can add value, just as I know I will grow immensely by engaging with others on this platform.”
The Role Of Diaspora Cinema And Europe-African Businesses Collaborations
African diaspora cinema holds a uniquely powerful role as both a cultural bridge and an economic catalyst between Europe and African businesses.
Through compelling storytelling, it humanizes shared histories, exposes audiences to new perspectives, and reimagines the Africa-Europe relationship beyond colonial or transactional lenses.
Films created by or featuring the African diaspora often highlight the richness of African cultures, values, and aspirations while addressing contemporary issues that resonate across borders.
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In doing so, they foster cultural empathy and curiosity, which opens doors for dialogue, collaboration, and deeper understanding between communities that may otherwise remain disconnected. Cinema, therefore, becomes a soft power tool, subtly but powerfully shaping public perception, consumer interest, and cross-cultural engagement.
Beyond the screen, African diaspora cinema can create direct commercial opportunities for both African and European businesses. Films often serve as launchpads for product placement, tourism, brand partnerships, and creative industry investments.
A well-placed film can introduce European audiences to African fashion, food, art, and innovation, creating demand and opening markets. Likewise, showcasing European products and culture within African cinema builds aspirational appeal and cross-market relevance.
When African filmmakers collaborate with European creatives, funders, and distributors, they not only elevate artistic quality but also facilitate equitable business exchanges.
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In this way, African diaspora cinema is not just a vehicle for entertainment but a strategic gateway for economic diplomacy, cultural tourism, and sustainable entrepreneurship between the two continents.
A Storyteller’s Journey: From Nigeria to Global Screens
Ubaka Joseph Ugochukwu’s journey into film began far from the glitz of movie premieres. A political science graduate from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria, Ubaka found his calling in storytelling.
He trained in film at Media Centre Dakar, Senegal, and the Berlin Talent Campus, refining his voice in a blend of African expressionism and global cinematic language.
His early works, such as Jungle Justice, Wahala, and the silent short Dechirure, reflected a daring, socially conscious approach. In 2009, his breakout feature, Trapped Dream, funded by French and Swedish cultural institutions, made waves internationally, screening at over nine global film festivals, including in Switzerland, Poland, Kenya, and Italy, where it won the Special Jury Prize.
The success of Trapped Dream was followed by Lilies of the Ghetto in 2010, another acclaimed feature that earned three nominations at the African Movie Academy Awards.
Ubaka’s work is known for its artistic depth and political urgency, films that not only entertain but ask the audience to see the world, and themselves, differently.
Bridging Nollywood and Global Impact
Ubaka has since worked extensively within Nollywood, directing and producing content for MNET, including titles like Truthful Lies, Blind Steal, and Payback is a Woman.
But he’s also gone beyond the commercial, creating culturally rich films like The Missing God, which won the Sembene Ousmane Best African Language Movie Award at the 2016 AMAA and was selected for film festivals in Egypt, Berlin, and Cameroon.
His dual ability to move between the commercial and the cultural, the local and the global, makes him uniquely suited for WeDiasporan’s mission: to leverage heritage and identity as engines for innovation, inclusion, and economic growth.
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Recent documentaries like Igbo, A Lost Tribe, and Marapara Hip-Hop House further show Ubaka’s commitment to preserving and amplifying stories often left untold, stories that explore language, history, youth culture, and the evolving African identity.
A Creative Blueprint for WeDiasporan’s Future
As CCO and CPO, Ubaka’s creative vision will be tightly woven into program design and execution. His work is already expanding WeDiasporan’s focus on creative diplomacy, where storytelling becomes a medium for building business relationships, fostering tourism, and creating mutual cultural exchange.
The romance film project between Italy and Nigeria is just the beginning. It’s a case study in what happens when storytelling becomes strategy, bringing products, people, and possibilities into a single compelling narrative.
It’s also a powerful demonstration of WeDiasporan’s belief that the African diaspora doesn’t need to ask for a seat at the table; it can build its own table and invite the world to it.
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Final Thoughts: A Story-Driven Future for the Diaspora
Ubaka Joseph’s appointment isn’t just a nod to his stellar film career; it’s a bold commitment to a future where art, culture, and commerce move together. In a world saturated with noise, stories that are grounded in truth, identity, and vision matter more than ever.
At WeDiasporan, stories aren’t just being told; they are being lived, shared, and transformed into real-world impact. Under Ubaka’s leadership, expect more cross-cultural projects, deeper connections between Africa and its global communities, and innovative programs that turn creativity into collective progress.
So what does it mean when a filmmaker leads strategy for a pan-African movement? It means we are entering a new chapter where vision isn’t just imagined, it’s directed.
And this time, the whole world is watching.
Learn How to Leverage Your Story through our Story To Asset Framework.
