Uzoma Dunkwu
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Uzoma Harry Dunkwu (born October 3, 1985), known professionally as Uzoma Dunkwu, is a Nigerian animator, artist, director, and educator. He worked for Marvel Animation and Lion Forge Entertainment, designing characters for the animated series Eyes of Wakanda (2025) and Iyanu (2025) respectively. Other studios he has worked with include Walt Disney Studios and Netflix Animation.[1][2]
Early Life
Dunkwu was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1985. He chose the scientific path academically from secondary school. Dunkwu graduated from the University of Benin, Nigeria with a Bachelor's degree in electrical/electronics engineering.[1][3]
Career
In 2014, Dunkwu established Scroll Comics, which launched its debut comic strip titled Photon 7.[4] He later pivoted from comics to animation when he founded Scroll Entertainment in June 2015. The Lagos-based studio creates illustrations and animated series.[3][5]
Dunkwu took part in the 2015 Samsung Tech Meets Art contest, where he placed second. His prize-winning artwork depicted the National Theatre, Nigeria in a futuristic environment with levitating cars.[6]
In 2018, Dunkwu organised Sketchathon, an artistic storytelling contest centered around the FIFA World Cup to empower illustrators, animators, and sequence/comic artists. The art competition was sponsored by Merrybet. Six of the four hundred participating artists were awarded two million Naira in cash prizes.[7][8]
In 2020, Dunkwu began creating culturally specific character designs. In his own words, "After a LinkedIn post, I made that went viral... I realised that many people from all around the world are seeking unique voices, specifically from underrepresented cultures." He went on to author an African Attire Coloring Book with a grant from Africa No Filter. The book was published in February 2022.[3][9]
In October 2025, a few months after the release of Eyes of Wakanda on Disney+,[10] Dunkwu won a Concept Art Association Award at LightBox Expo for his animated series character concept design of Noni.[1][11] The award was received on his behalf by his colleague at Marvel Animation, Joshua James Shaw.[12]
In August 2026, Dunkwu became a juried winner of the 78th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for his character design work on Eyes of Wakanda, "Into the Lion's Den" (Episode 1). He was one of five winning artists in the "Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation" category.[13][14]
Filmography
Dunkwu is best known for his character designs for Marvel Animation's animated series Eyes of Wakanda.[15][16] He joined the production in August 2021 as an early concept artist. Dunkwu was responsible for the initial character ideation under the direction of Todd Harris and developed early designs for five Dora Milaje characters, including Noni. The early designs later defined the character look across the series under the supervision of Joshua James Shaw.[1][12][17]
Awards
In October 2025, Dunkwu won a Concept Art Association Award, Animated Series Character Concept for Noni—Eyes of Wakanda.[11][1]
In August 2026, Dunkwu won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation for Character Design on the episode "Into the Lion's Den" of Eyes of Wakanda.[18][19][20]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Nosakhale Akhimien. Nigerian Artist Uzoma Dunkwu Wins Emmy For Marvel’s ‘Eyes Of Wakanda’. Channels Television. 2026-09-15.
- ↑ Ademide Adebayo. Nigerian Artist Uzoma Dunkwu Wins Emmy For Eyes Of Wakanda. 2026-09-15.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bird. Uzoma Dunkwu is on a quest to get more African children to learn about their history and culture. BellaNaija. 2022-06-20.
- ↑ Muyiwa Matuluko. Scroll Comics wants to improve reading culture with patriotic and futuristic digital comic series. TechCabal. 2014-04-29.
- ↑ Ehigie Ikeakhe, others discuss Animation Industry in Nigeria - P.M. News.
- ↑ BellaNaija.com. Winners Announced as #TechMeetsArtNG & Rele Gallery Exhibition ‘Crossing Lines’ Closes. BellaNaija. 2015-10-19.
- ↑ The Guardian. Merrybet launches Artistic Storytelling Contest on World Football Cup 2018. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2018-06-19.
- ↑ vanguard. #Sketchathon: Merrybet reward artists for artistic stories about World Cup. Vanguard News. 2018-07-31.
- ↑ Kekere Storytellers Fund Champions 2021/2022 | Africa No Filter.
- ↑ Animation Magazine. 'Eyes of Wakanda' Bumps Up Premiere with All Four Eps. Dropping Aug. 1st. Animation Magazine. 2025-07-24.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Rob Salkowitz. ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Slays At CAA Awards, Marvel Studios Also Scores Big. Forbes.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Tife Ade. Uzoma Dunkwu Makes History at the 2025 Concept Art Awards with Eyes of Wakanda: A Landmark Moment for Nigerian Animation.
- ↑ Juried Winners for 78th Emmy Awards Announced. Television Academy.
- ↑ Individual Achievement in Animation: 78th Emmy Awards. Television Academy.
- ↑ Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation 2026 - Nominees & Winners Emmy Awards. Television Academy.
- ↑ CAA 2025 Winners. Concept Art Association.
- ↑ Emmy Juried Panel Picks Animation Grounded in Zombie Biology and Vibranium Physics. Tech Times. 2026-08-13.
- ↑ Ramin Zahed. 'Primal,' 'Eyes of Wakanda,' 'The Mighty Nein' and 'Star Wars: Visions' Win Juried Animation Emmy Awards. Animation Magazine. 2026-08-12.
- ↑ Hilary Lewis. ‘Masked Singer,’ ‘The Traitors,’ ‘Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal’ Among Juried Emmy Award Winners. The Hollywood Reporter. 2026-08-12.
- ↑ Jamie Lang. 'Primal,' 'Wakanda,' 'Mighty Nein,' 'Visions' Score Juried Emmys. 2026-08-12.