At 13, Simisola Gbadamosi is Fearlessly Showcasing Nigeria to the World

When Simisola Gbadamosi was just three years old, her remarkable voice set her apart. Even at such a young age, there was something undeniable about her talent, something that, over the next decade, the world would come to recognize and celebrate.

Keke Hammond (COO of Flytime Fest and founder of Road14 Studios) would come to realize this voice, telling Gbadamosi’s mother that her daughter was special. Hammond’s interest in children’s media began on Road 14 Close at the University of Ife, where she lived as a child. Years later, after volunteering at several art centers while studying at Howard University, she drew inspiration from that childhood address to create Road14 Studios in 2015. What started as a passion project to nurture young talent evolved into a 360° media company dedicated to enhancing the experience and representation of African children. Among the many talented individuals whom Road14 Studios has helped develop is Gbadamosi. She stands out not just as one of its brightest stars but as the realization of its founding vision.

In 2019, a group of creatives was making waves; three friends from Nigeria and Uganda co-founded Kugali Media. Frustrated by non-Africans controlling African narratives, they boldly stated their intention to “kick Disney’s arse.” Instead of being dismissed, their ambition intrigued Jennifer Lee, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ chief creative officer. By 2020, Kugali had secured a groundbreaking collaboration with Disney+ to co-produce Iwaju, an animated sci-fi series inspired by futuristic Lagos.

While this historic partnership was forming, Gbadamosi was honing her craft at Road14 Studios, balancing drama and reading classes with her regular schoolwork. “While I’m at school, I have to remind myself to focus on that and let everything else take the back burner,” she tells me. That discipline served her well when, under Road14 Studios’ guidance, she auditioned for Iwaju, her first venture into voice acting.

When Iwaju premiered on Disney+ on February 28, 2024, Gbadamosi had secured the lead role of Tola, the series’ protagonist. The moment was a milestone for everyone involved: Kugali Media proved its vision, Disney+ gained an authentic African story, Road14 Studios saw its mission come to life, and Gbadamosi took one of the first steps on what promises to be an extraordinary career. Her success was cemented when she received an Emmy nomination in 2025, making her the youngest Nigerian ever nominated for the prestigious award.

Beyond her Emmy recognition, Simisola has long demonstrated remarkable passion and drive. “My first role was playing a sheep in my school’s Christmas play when I was three,” she says. More than her artistic achievements, her deep understanding of their significance sets her apart. She approaches her success with maturity, recognizing that she is not just a performer but a beacon for a new generation of Nigerian youth.

Gbadamosi’s talent was evident from an early age. She won the Best Creative Kid Entrepreneur Award at the Bella Africana Ace Awards at six years old. She thrived under Hammond’s expert guidance as one of Road14 Studios’s inaugural cohort members. “Simi’s ability to digest and then infer from a text was above her age,” Hammond notes. 

While many children her age prioritize friendships and leisure, Gbadamosi seamlessly juggles multiple commitments. “I feel like I juggle things a lot more than I see my friends and other people my age doing,” she says. “I used to swim on Saturdays, go to school full-time during the week, do piano lessons twice a week, and violin lessons twice a week.”

Her exceptional discipline explains why Hammond wasn’t surprised by her Emmy nomination—she had seen her potential long before the world caught on. Still, building Road14 Studios into a talent incubator was not without its challenges. Like with Flytime Fest, Hammond had no existing blueprint to follow. “The fact that we’ve been able to create our blueprint for Flytime gives me the confidence that we can do the same and even more with Road14 Studios and with Simisola,” she says. 

Among Road14 Studios’ most meaningful achievements is its performing arts workshop, which has reached over 50 private and public secondary schools in Lagos. Through theatrical presentations, they have tackled crucial social issues, such as underage drinking. For Hammond, storytelling is the best way to impact or talk to children about making changes. Yet, Road14 Studios’ greatest success remains Gbadamosi. “Her being the lead for an animation that positively and beautifully showcases Nigeria is an incredible achievement,” Hammond states. 

The historic partnership between Kugali and Disney+ and Simisola’s historic Emmy nomination underscore the Road14 Studios’ impact. Iwaju itself has earned multiple accolades, including three Children’s and Family Emmy Award nominations and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Animated Series.

Reflecting on this journey, Hammond expresses immense pride. “I’m so honored to be part of this journey with her.” Road14 Studios continues to serve as a bridge between raw talent and global opportunities, with ambitious plans to empower more young creatives across Nigeria and Africa.

When asked what she looks for in young talent, Hammond identifies three key traits: an undeniable “IT factor” (which she recognized in Gbadamosi), unwavering dedication, and parents who are fully committed to nurturing their child’s journey.

For her part, Gbadamosi offers simple but profound advice to aspiring young performers: “Keep going and never give up, because life can show you a lot of ups and downs, and you just have to keep going.” At just 13, she is already living proof of that resilience, charting a path that will inspire countless others to dream big and take up space on the global stage.