Willy Kanga

Last updated
Willy Kanga
Born
Williams Jesse Etombi

(1998-04-28) April 28, 1998 (age 27)
Abuja,Nigeria
Education Joseph Ayo Babalola University
Occupations
Years active2019–present
Instagram information
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Followers447 thousand
TikTok information
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Followers1.7 million
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Views17.2 million
Last updated: 19 January 2026

Williams Etombi (born April 28, 1998), known professionally as Willy Kanga, is a Nigerian animator and digital content creator. [1] He is known for producing animated skits distributed on social media platforms, particularly TikTok. [2] [3]

Contents

Early life and education

Williams Etombi was born on 28 April 1998 in Nigeria. He developed an interest in drawing at a young age, working initially with traditional sketches and charcoal illustrations. He later studied Architecture at Joseph Ayo Babalola University, [4] where he began exploring digital illustration and animation alongside his academic work. [4]

Career

Willy Kanga began creating online content through short skits and meme-based videos before focusing primarily on animation. He is associated with short-form animated skits featuring scripted dialogue and simplified visual designs, produced for social media distribution. [4] His animated content has been featured in Nigerian print and online publications that profile digital creators and animators. These reports place his work within the context of Nigeria’s growing online animation and digital storytelling scene. In 2024, he was listed among recipients at the TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa, where creators in animation-related categories were recognised. [5] [6]

Awards and recognition

YearAwardCategoryResultRef
2024TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan AfricaAnimator of the YearWon [7] [5]
2025Jabu alumni awardscontent creator of the yearWon

References

  1. ↑ Erezi, Dennis (2025-02-25). "Willy Kanga: The Nigerian animator transforming digital storytelling". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  2. ↑ Edubi, Omotayo (2025-02-25). "Willy Kanga advocates for growth of Nigerian animation industry". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  3. ↑ "Talku Talku | Impress Your Customers Online". 2024-02-16. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  4. 1 2 3 Abisola, Shojobi (2025-02-24). "Willy Kanga: Nigeria's Award-Winning Animator Blending Humor, Social Commentary". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  5. 1 2 "Willy Kanga Advocates for the Growth of Nigerian Animation Industry – THISDAYLIVE" . Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  6. ↑ Online, Tribune (2025-02-26). "Willy Kanga wins TikTok Animator of the Year Award for Scripted Drama/Animation". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  7. ↑ "TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa 2024". TikTok Newsroom. February 10, 2025.
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