Early life and education
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.
Career
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 Awoyomi was featured in the Birmingham Open 25, a major exhibition showcasing contemporary artists in the city. He was selected alongside Cameroonian artist Ispahani Mukah as one of ten exhibiting artists and received the People's Choice Award through community open polls. [11] [12]
In a television interview with Channels TV, Awoyomi reflected on how the competition refined his visual approach, particularly his exploration of light and shadow in portraiture and identity-centered narratives. He noted that the exhibition broadened his international recognition while remaining deeply rooted in his African heritage and personal aesthetic philosophy. [13]
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. [14]
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