Delivered by the Book Buzz Foundation through the Lagos International Festival of Illustrations (LIFI 2026), the project brings together 36 emerging Nigerian illustrators and 9 international illustrators from Switzerland, Poland and Italy for an intensive programme of masterclasses, studio visits, mentoring and cross-cultural creative exchange.

Anchored by partnerships with the University of Lagos and Yaba College of Technology, SKILLustrator draws its Nigerian cohort from fine art and graphic design students, creating a direct bridge between higher education, professional practice and children's publishing.

The programme culminates in Illustrator Inc. Volume One, a professionally published anthology showcasing work developed during the residencies, and lays the groundwork for a proposed certification pathway – a Diploma in Children's Book Illustration – to be jointly explored and evaluated with partner institutions.

By combining professional mentorship, institutional partnership, and Africa-Europe creative exchange, SKILLustrator creates a sustainable model for building illustration talent and infrastructure — one that positions Nigerian visual storytelling firmly on the international map, and can be replicated in other African creative hubs.