Our story
Built around a simple idea: everything heard can also be read.
A small studio in Benin City, working on documentary audio with the patience the format deserves.
How we started
From a spare room with two microphones
Orlance began as a handful of interviews recorded in a converted storeroom, driven by a frustration that so much good reporting in audio form simply wasn't reaching people without reliable data or hearing access. We started transcribing every episode by hand before it became policy — it just felt like the right thing to do.
Since then the studio has grown into a small, steady team producing documentary series across Nigeria, still built on the same habit: record carefully, edit honestly, and write it all down alongside the audio.
We're not chasing scale for its own sake. We'd rather finish fewer stories properly than rush many out the door.
What guides us
Our values
01
Access before polish
A transcript, a low-bandwidth option, clear speech mixing — we'd rather a story reach someone plainly than sound impressive to no one.
02
Consent isn't a formality
We check in with people before, during, and after recording, and we say plainly in each sound note what was edited and why.
03
Patience over pace
Good documentary work takes time to gather and longer to edit fairly. We'd rather release less, more carefully.
The team
The people behind the desk
Chidinma Osayimwen
Founding Producer
Tarela Ogbeide
Audio Editor
Nkechi Anyaegbunam
Transcript & Research Lead