Walking through the fire : The uncompromising art of ima elijah
n an era of performative creativity, Ima Elijah stands as a “profoundly necessary and uncompromising Creative and Cultural Interrogator”. Her art is not merely aesthetic; it is forged in the crucible of public scrutiny and a complex heritage. As the Winner of the 2025 CEOs Network Africa Award in the Creativity & Arts category, Ima demands a different kind of attention—one that listens to the wisdom earned from walking through the fire.
Profile Summary
Ima Elijah emerges from a highly scrutinized background as the rebellious daughter of Pastor Helen Ukpabio—a history marked by public controversy and blackmail. Rather than seeking sanctuary, she carries an unyielding ethical stance into her creativity, using her work to confront the very narratives that attempted to define her.
Her voice, delivered through evocative visual media and trenchant prose, stands as a rupture in the fabric of consensus. Dedicated to artistic independence, Ima exclusively pursues solo exhibitions, refusing the collective definitions of her peers. Through her platforms, In The City and Ima Elijah Arts, she challenges audiences to engage with a deeper, unvarnished truth.
In Conversation: Perspectives on Creativity and Strategy
Q: Creativity often begins with perspective. What experiences or influences have most shaped your creative voice and artistic direction?
Ima: “Growing up on Nigeria’s most popular horror films set… Helen Ukpabio’s film sets opened me up to creating. Anything was possible and the crew was ready to bring any crazy idea to visual-storytelling-life. It was a very impactful foundation for me.”
Q: Building a career in the creative industry requires both talent and strategy. How have you balanced artistic expression with the business side of your work?
Ima: “Education. I knew very early on that I was a creative. Before I turned 18, I made clothes for myself and my family, designed wedding halls for fun, made music with the church choir, sketched and I painted… I’m a damn good actress.
What I was not naturally good at was being a business minded fellow… so my education was really tailored towards understanding media. Education gave me corporate confidence so the balance now comes naturally… Every creative decision is accompanied by corporate considerations. These worlds are currently merged together for me.
• Bsc Media and communications (Abuad)
• MSc Production for radio tv and film (Uniyo)
• MSc Media Entrepreneurship (PAU)“
Q: Creative work has the power to shape culture and conversations. What message or impact do you hope your work leaves on audiences and communities?
Ima: “First of all, the world is way deeper than what you see. I think we are constantly fighting battles of awareness spiritually, emotionally, socially and within ourselves. I think we are losing the discipline of introspection.
I want my art to give people the opportunity to stop and think. To heal, to see things for what they are and beyond. Mostly around information cus we have been greatly lied to about ourselves. I want my art to make people really connect with their inner wisdom and God.“
Q: The creative industry can be unpredictable. What has been one of your biggest challenges, and how did you navigate it?
Ima: “Well a fellow creative saying my mother’s films made people burn their children alive… It’s crazy cus this girl sings songs about “how to kill men”. The effect of that was double edged. In the creative industry we have floaters and people who are grounded. As expected, floaters are way more and much louder than grounded people.
A lot of floaters deserted me and my art and my exhibitions. People didn’t want to associate with me because of that crazy tweet. But it paved the way for the grounded people to finally make contact with me. It has also launched me into a different level of being alternative. The results? I’m living mad authentically these days and I’m experiencing high levels of fulfilment.“
Q: What does winning the CEOs Network Africa Award mean to you, and how would you describe the network in three words?
Ima: “In a year where people intentionally abstained from publicly associating with me and my work, this was the highest validation. Recognizing that I was their inspiration is just the most truthful the media and the world has been towards me lately.
Three Words for the Network: > Truthful, Fair, Validators.“
Conclusion: A Legacy of Authenticity
Ima Elijah’s story is a testament to the power of standing one’s ground when the “floaters” drift away. By merging corporate strategy with raw, spiritual introspection, she has created a space where art is a tool for healing and truth.
As a 2025 Award Winner, she continues to remind us that the most impactful work often comes from those who refuse to be silenced by the noise of the collective.