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Ayodeji Oluwaseun Awoyomi (born 1 June 1990) is a Nigerian fine art photographer based in the United Kingdom. He became the first Nigerian to win the British Institute of Professional Photography's International Photographer of the Year award in 2024. [1] [2] His work has been featured in several international exhibitions and explores themes of identity, childhood, and cultural memory. [3]
Awoyomi was born in Usi-Ekiti, in the former Ondo State of Nigeria (now Ekiti State), to Prince Bamidele Awoyomi, a civil servant, and Chief Mrs. Funmilayo Awoyomi, a businesswoman. He is the eldest of six children. He attended Area 1 Primary School in Garki, Abuja, and Government College Usi for secondary school. He later studied geology at Ekiti State University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 2016. [4]
While at university, he was active in fashion modeling and participated in runway events such as GTBank Fashion Week and Lagos Fashion Week. Awoyomi developed an interest in photography at a young age and received his first camera during childhood.
In an interview with The Photographer, a UK-based magazine, he stated that photography was a natural medium for him, describing his artistic drive as "embedded in [his] DNA" and citing a lifelong connection to the visual arts.
Awoyomi's work spans fine art and documentary photography, focusing on themes of identity, memory, and social narratives. His distinctive style blends creative expression with cultural storytelling, often highlighting African heritage and everyday life. He has exhibited in notable venues including the Lagos Photo Festival, Didi Museum (Lagos), and Madhouse Gallery at the University of Lagos. [5] [6]
Following his relocation to the United Kingdom, he co-founded Creative Meetup UK, an initiative with Abubakar Suleiman that connects Nigerian creatives across the UK. [7] [8]
In 2017, he served as the official photographer for the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Kolapo Olusola, contributing to his 2018 gubernatorial campaign imagery. In 2021, one of his documentary photographs—depicting children collecting water from a pond—was used in a UNESCO campaign promoting clean water initiatives in Africa.
In 2022, the same photograph was featured in a World Economic Forum article covering the devastating floods in Nigeria, emphasizing environmental challenges linked to climate change. [9]
In 2023, Awoyomi won the British Institute of Professional Photography's Student of the Year award, earning international recognition for his work. [10]
In 2025, he was selected as one of the ten artists featured in the Birmingham Open 25 exhibition, a major showcase of contemporary artists in the city. [11]
Also in 2025, Awoyomi participated as a special guest contributor in "MENTALLY," a virtual workshop organized by the Thought Pyramid Art Centre, focusing on mental health in the visual arts sector. The event aimed to foster open dialogue and support creatives dealing with mental health challenges. [12]
Awoyomi's work is included in the private collections of: