Daniel Owoseni Ajala is a visionary ballet educator and founder of the Leap of Dance Academy in Lagos, Nigeria. As a self-taught dancer who discovered his passion in 2009 through YouTube, Ajala defied societal norms to pursue his dream of using ballet to empower underserved communities.

In 2017, he established the non-profit Leap of Dance Academy, transforming the lives of young dancers who initially trained on bare cement floors. Ajala's impact gained global attention in 2023 when a video of a student joyfully dancing in the rain went viral, leading to scholarships and international training opportunities for his dancers. Today, alumni study across Europe as Ajala strives to elevate Nigeria on the global ballet stage.

An advocate of cultural exchange, he believes ballet unites people beyond borders. His inspiring journey is captured in the award-winning documentary “Then Comes the Body”, currently under consideration for the 2025 Academy Awards. which gained international recognition for its powerful storytelling. The film chronicles the daily challenges and triumphs of Ajala and his students, spotlighting their unwavering dedication to the transformative power of ballet.

Ajala’s work has touched hearts around the globe, leading to unprecedented support for local artists and opening doors for aspiring dancers in Nigeria and beyond.