Voice Artist Programme · NNP Studios · Maryland, USA

Your voice
belongs in
this story.

NNP Studios is building a curated pool of authentic Nigerian and African voice artists for the ItanWa Catalogue and our growing production slate. We are not looking for volume — we are looking for voices that understand the weight of what they are narrating.

Voice artist in professional recording studio
100K+
NNP community listeners
50+
Titles in the catalogue
3
Major platforms + ItanWa
Voice Artist Criteria

Not just a voice.
The right voice.

We produce audiobooks for a diaspora audience that grew up hearing Nigerian and African stories. They will know immediately if the voice narrating those stories does not belong there. Cultural authenticity is not optional — it is the entire point.

Who this is not for: Generic voice artists without genuine cultural connection to Nigerian or African literature. The ItanWa Catalogue requires narrators who bring lived cultural understanding to every page — not just a clear speaking voice.

01 · CULTURAL
Cultural Fluency
You understand the world of the text. Names, places, cultural references — you know their weight and their pronunciation without being told.
02 · VOCAL
Tonal Clarity
A clear, warm, intelligible voice that reads naturally. Internationally accessible while authentically Nigerian or African.
03 · TECHNICAL
ACX Standard
Ability to record to broadcast quality. Clean signal, consistent room tone, no background noise. A home studio or access to one.
04 · PROFESSIONAL
Reliability
You deliver on time, communicate proactively, and take direction well. The production schedule depends on you.
Languages

The languages of our catalogue.

Our catalogue spans multiple Nigerian and African languages. We are especially seeking voices in the following — but are open to all authentic speakers.

Nigerian English
Yoruba
Igbo
Hausa
Nigerian Pidgin
Efik / Ibibio
Tiv
Ijaw
Edo
French
Portuguese
Swahili
Arabic
Other African Languages

Highlighted languages are in active production demand. If you speak a Nigerian or African language not listed, note it in your submission.

Technical Standards

The NNP Studios recording standard.

Every title is produced to ACX broadcast standard for global distribution. Your recording environment must meet these requirements before production begins — we help verify this during onboarding.

01 · FORMAT
File Specification
All recordings delivered as WAV files. No MP3 or lossy compression on primary deliverables.
WAV · 44.1 kHz · 16-bit minimum
02 · ENVIRONMENT
Noise Floor
A quiet, acoustically treated space. Room reverb, HVAC, traffic, and background sounds are not acceptable on final deliverables.
-60 dBFS or lower
03 · LEVELS
Audio Levels
Consistent RMS levels across all recordings. Peak levels must not clip. NNP Studios provides a full technical brief on onboarding.
RMS: -23 to -18 dBFS · Peak: -3 dBFS
04 · NAMING
File Delivery
Files named and organised to the NNP Studios convention by chapter and section. Delivery brief provided at production start.
[Title]_CH[N]_[Section].wav
05 · TRANSFER
Large Files
Files over 10MB submitted via WeTransfer or Google Drive to studio@nnponline.com. Full instructions in the delivery brief.
WeTransfer · Google Drive · studio@nnponline.com
06 · EQUIPMENT
Recommended Setup
A condenser or dynamic microphone, audio interface, and recording software. Audacity is free and sufficient for most setups.
Audacity · Adobe Audition · Logic · Pro Tools

Not sure if your setup meets standard? Submit your application and note your equipment in the form. We would rather work with an exceptional voice artist to improve their setup than settle for a technically perfect but culturally hollow recording.

Submission Script

What to record.

Record the following script. It is designed to assess tone, diction, cultural authenticity, and your handling of Nigerian proper nouns. Read it naturally — do not over-perform.

File 1 — English Narration · Required · 1–2 minutes
"The harmattan had been blowing for three days when Adaeze finally made up her mind. She had spent those days watching the red dust settle on everything — on the compound walls, on the neem trees, on her mother's faded wrapper draped across the line to dry. Kano was like that in December. Quiet in a way that was not peaceful, just patient.

She thought of her father, who had come from Enugu with nothing but a suitcase and a secondary school certificate and had, by the time she was born, built something in this city that passed for a life. The kind of life that required you to explain yourself to no one. He had never gone back.

She was about to."
File 2 — Language Sample · Optional but strongly encouraged · 30–60 seconds
Record a short passage in one or more Nigerian languages — a greeting, a proverb, or a brief description. Name each language clearly before you begin that section. Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Pidgin, or any language you speak natively.

File naming: YourFirstName_LastName_English.wav · YourFirstName_LastName_Languages.wav

Recording notes: Natural pace. No music or effects. Begin and end with 3 seconds of room silence. Files over 10MB — submit via WeTransfer and note the link in the application form.

The Process

From submission to first production.

1
Apply
Complete the form and submit your voice samples. Up to 14 working days for review.
2
Review
Your samples are assessed by the NNP Studios team against cultural, tonal, and technical criteria.
3
Onboarding
Successful applicants receive our technical brief and are added to the NNP Studios talent register.
4
Casting
When a catalogue title matches your voice and language profile, you are invited to cast.
5
Production
You record. We produce and distribute. Your voice reaches Audible, Spotify, Apple Books, and ItanWa.
Application

Apply to join the NNP Studios narrator programme.

Complete the form below. Your samples will be reviewed within 14 working days and you will receive confirmation by email.

Click to attach your WAV files
WAV ONLY · ENGLISH REQUIRED · LANGUAGE SAMPLE ENCOURAGED
Files over 10MB — use WeTransfer link below

Your personal data will be used only to assess your application and maintain the NNP Studios talent register. It will not be shared with third parties. Request removal at any time: studio@nnponline.com

After You Apply

What happens next.

01
Confirmation
Email confirmation within 48 hours acknowledging receipt of your application and samples.
02
Review — 14 Days
Your samples are reviewed personally by the NNP Studios team. You will hear from us with a decision and, where relevant, specific feedback.
03
Onboarding or Feedback
Successful applicants are onboarded and matched to upcoming productions. Unsuccessful applicants receive honest, constructive feedback.