Media entrepreneur and storyteller Chude Jideonwo was the special guest at The Audacity of Storytelling, an exclusive fireside chat hosted by The Konalut Collective, a Nigerian youth-led creative arts platform. The conversation, designed as an intimate exchange, explored the power and challenges of telling complex, sensitive stories in a society where silence often feels safer.
The dialogue ranged from the extensive, personal and to the profoundly political views. Chude Jideonwo was asked about the weight he feels telling stories of those unheard, how he earns the trust of people in communities like Makoko and IDP camps, and whether he has ever chosen empathy over the pursuit of virality. He also addressed questions on navigating backlash in a content-driven age, the role of storytellers in shaping culture and policy, and how Nigerian audiences respond differently to stories of struggle and hope.
For The Konalut Collective, whose work amplifies voices of queer people and marginalized communities, the fireside chat was a reminder of the courage required to tell the truth in difficult places and for Chude Jideonwo, it was another oppourtunity to affirm his lifelong commitment to stories that heal, challenge, and transform. The session ended with a powerful question: What advice would you give young Nigerians who want to tell authentic stories but fear the risks? His answer was clear — storytelling requires courage, empathy, and an unshakable belief in impact.
