Ballet for everyone in Nigeria - 6th August 2020

Self-taught dancer Daniel Ajala is teaching children ballet in Nigeria.

He holds classes in an old primary school close to the capital, Lagos.

Ajala had used books and websites to learn ballet himself.

He decided to open a dance school in 2017.

Ajala: “From my years of understanding and reading about ballet, I learned ballet is actually for people who have actually, who have money, who are from very high class, because ballet is expensive. And in this area, I know we can’t actually afford the luxury of ballet, or dance education.”

The school is paid for by Ajala himself.

He also provides shoes and kit for the children.

Many of his students had no idea about ballet before they joined the school.

Locals were uncertain about the school at first, but they now support it.

Ifoma Madu loves watching her son Anthony dance.

Ifoma: "I, I feel great. I feel wonderful. I’m very excited. When I see him dancing, it gives me joy.”

The students enjoy the classes. Some of them want to continue dancing as adults.

Olamide: “And maybe one day I will become a dance teacher too, and I’ll be able to gather children too, and teach them how to dance."