Fashion & Beauty
Cosmas Ojemen, Adedayo Laketu, Nez Anazodo
Fashion & Beauty
Cosmas Ojemen, Adedayo Laketu, Nez Anazodo
Fashion & Beauty
Co-founders Ojemen Cosmas, Nez Anazodo, and Adedayo Laketu serve as Creative Director, Head of Operations, Artistic Director of Pith Africa respectively. Since 2017, the brand has maintained a steady growth in the Nigerian fashion industry, through popular collections, short films and dynamic collaborations, which include; Nigerian fashion brands Kkerele and ThisisUs, as well as corporates like Jameson, Eggcorn Digital and Quacktails.
Its upcycled items are becoming staple pieces in the wardrobes of young people who admire the brand’s vision for stylish environmental awareness. In July 2023, Pith Africa released a collaboration with popular skateboarding company WafflesnCream, which was one of Nigerian streetwear’s moments of the year. An amalgamation of two influential brands who communicate exuberance in community and freedom of expression.
The fashion brand from Lagos is deeply rooted in community, and documents waves of creative outbursts in their environment, telling stories of younger generations through fashion, film and community engagement on and offline. With statements like “The whole broom is stronger than one stick,” the brand tells a story of the force of collective action to effect widespread positive change.
Oroma Cookey-Gam & Osione Itegboje
Fashion & Beauty
Oroma Cookey-Gam & Osione Itegboje
Fashion & Beauty
Founded in 2016 by Oroma Cookey-Gam and Osione Itegboje, ThisIsUs is focused on promoting locally dyed cotton from Northern Nigeria, particularly the Funtua cotton from Katsina. This cotton is cultivated and spun by a local textile mill with a history dating back to the 1970s. Indigo hand-dyeing is a process these fabrics undergo at Kofar Mata dye pits.
The brand has gained popularity for its distinctive collection of uniform wear, offering a fresh interpretation of everyday basics like t-shirts, trousers, shorts, hats, suits and kaftans. ThisIsUs is committed to incorporating sustainable practices and elevating the standards for quality in contemporary African design. They challenge the misconception that these two worlds cannot coexist.
Collaboration is a key element for ThisIsUs, who joined forces with Skate Company Wafflesncream in June on a collection titled “The Land is All Mine,” and in September they teamed up with prominent Nigerian fashion brand IamIsigo, one of Nigerian fashion’s more exciting collaborations of the year. The founders are forging a unique path by utilizing indigenous sustainability practices, and making fashion items for stylish, environmentally conscious people.
Adeju Thompson
Fashion & Beauty
Adeju Thompson
Fashion & Beauty
Adeju Thompson is the force behind Lagos Space Programme, a non-binary luxury project celebrated for its innovative designs challenging conventional fashion ideas about blackness, African design, masculinity, and beauty. Born and raised in Lagos, Thompson studied fashion in the UK before returning to Nigeria in 2013.
In 2018, Thompson established Lagos Space Programme, deviating from the industry’s standards by releasing genderless collections that explore African futures. The “Cloth as a Queer Archive” collection explores the rich tapestry of Yoruba textile culture and its intersection with adornment practices in queer communities.
They were a semi-finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2021, and in 2023, Lagos Space Programme won the International Woolmark Prize of 200,000 AUD for its contemporary application of traditional techniques, and its commitment to sustainability. Additionally, Adeju Thompson was acknowledged as an influential player shaping fashion of today on Vogue Business’ 100 Innovators of 2023.
Bubu Ogisi
Fashion & Beauty
Bubu Ogisi
Fashion & Beauty
Bubu Ogisi is a fiber artist researcher and Creative Director of the modern art label IAMISIGO, hails from Lagos, Nigeria. Currently residing between Lagos and Nairobi, she pursued her education in Fashion at Ecole Superieure des Art et Technique de la Mode (ESMOD) in Paris, France.
Her artistic focus revolves around the way the body exists and engages with space over time. She manifests this exploration by designing wearable and installation art using unconventional materials and ancient textile techniques sourced from diverse regions in Africa.
Ogisi was selected to feature in and create a special collection for Victoria’s Secret’s highly publicized global return event “The Tour.” Her creations for the film include a brass dress worn by Naomi Campbell. At Lagos Fashion Week in 2023, the presentation for her latest collection, Shadows, gathered attendees in an old furniture-making factory for one of the most memorable events of the week.
Staying true to the description of herself as a researcher, Bubu Ogisi’s work seeks to liberate the mind and challenge colonial influences. She achieves this by playing with elements like gravity, light, color, mass, and transparency to showcase the limitless possibilities and variations in material experiences.
Ashley Okoli
Fashion & Beauty
Ashley Okoli
Fashion & Beauty
One cannot speak about fashion in the alté movement without mentioning Ashley Okoli. Okoli’s fashion is reflective of her lifestyle as it centers on her non-traditional forms of self-expression by incorporating goth, drag and punk influences. In May, she was selected to be a part of Victoria’s Secret’s highly publicized World Tour event featuring creatives around the world showcasing special collections in a feature documentary. Okoli has and continues to inspire many young women to challenge the status quo in terms of style and free expression.
Faith Oluwajimi
Fashion & Beauty
Faith Oluwajimi
Fashion & Beauty
Established in 2015 by Faith Oluwajimi, Bloke is a Nigerian gender-neutral brand with a strong commitment to sustainability, and embracing a luxurious artistic design approach with a touch of spiritual awareness.
Oluwajimi utilizes deadstock fabrics, prioritizes local materials, adopts low-impact production methods, and ensures ethical and transparent manufacturing practices. The brand exclusively sources materials locally and collaborates with a small community of knitters, textile artists, and artisans for their collections.
In 2016, Bloke was recognized by Vogue Talents as one of the emerging brands changing global fashion, and in 2018, Oluwajimi won the Alara Emerge Prize. Since then he has kept his foot on the pedal to place a craft nurtured from a country home in Abeokuta to the famed halls of global luxury fashion. Bloke has showcased at Fashion Weeks in Milan, London, Paris and other European fashion hotspots.
Oluwajimi was a semifinalist for the LVMH Prize in 2023, the only African shortlisted for the prize. Through his work in fashion, Faith Oluwajimi’s success story is an inspiration to young people entering fashion of the heights Nigerians can reach on the global scene, regardless of where they come from.
Bella Fents
Fashion & Beauty
Bella Fents
Fashion & Beauty
The hair care market in Nigeria is estimated to be worth around $1.16 billion by Statista in 2023. The significance of beauty in Nigerian society cannot be overstated, even moreso among younger consumers who have ushered the industry’s steady incline over the past decade, with increased interest and participation. Mabella Hair, founded by Bella Fents, exists as a trailblazer in a quickly growing ecosystem which serves personal and social beauty needs. This nascent space which is sometimes mired by questionable parties, thriving in her space dictates that many young women trust in her standards of consistency, which affords her a stamp of approval in the scope of quality hair purchase locally.
Ore Runsewe
Fashion & Beauty
Ore Runsewe
Fashion & Beauty
Arami Essentials, a Nigerian-based brand, offers versatile skincare and body products designed to cleanse and smooth the skin. Established in 2016 by Founder Ore Runsewe, the brand’s name, “Arami,” means “my body” in Yoruba, reflecting its focus on providing essential care for the body, treating it like a temple with local ingredients like shea butter, black soap, coconut oil, and more.
Runsewe was inspired by the rich and potent ingredients in Africa, often overlooked or underestimated. Through a partnership with The Folklore Connect, a platform that amplifies fashion, beauty, and home brands, Arami Essentials has expanded its reach to retailers globally. Runsewe is building one of Nigeria’s foremost beauty brands, using indigenous material to provide a Nigerian iteration of bodycare to the world.
Vanessa Ochi
Fashion & Beauty
Vanessa Ochi
Fashion & Beauty
Vanessa Ochi, the mind behind Petals Lagos, was born and raised in Lagos. She identified a gap in the activewear market, leading to the establishment of Petals Lagos in September 2021. The brand initially focused on stylish and high-quality activewear for women but has since expanded to include sports accessories like water bottles, protein shakers, and workout mats.
Petals Lagos distinguishes itself through a quality line that embodies an identity accompanying the apparel. 2023 marked a milestone of 15,000 sales for the brand within two years of launch, exhibiting the exponential growth the brand has achieved, while building a customer base that trusts its standard. The brand is becoming a household name for women in Lagos who frequently or occasionally exercise, while offering an indigenous player in the activewear market that tends to the needs of Nigerian women.
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Oluwasanmi Adeoye
Fashion & Beauty
Oluwasanmi Adeoye
Fashion & Beauty
Oluwasanmi Adeoye, the creative director of Feyisoge makeup studio, is a highly acclaimed makeup artist making significant strides in the industry. In addition to traditional makeup, she has a strong passion for special effects makeup (SFX) and manages a growing channel featuring SFX makeup tutorials and other makeup guides.
Adeoye has collaborated with prominent clients, including Simi, Adekunle Gold, Adunni Ade, and many others. Her expertise extends to various brands, both within and outside Nigeria, such as MLPro, Zaron, TTDeye, Morphe, Zikel Cosmetics, etc. She has also contributed to numerous film projects, including Netflix originals “King of Boys: The Return of the King,” “The Wait,” and “Ayinla.”
Adeoye was also responsible for Makeup looks at this year’s Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) like for Nollywood actress Nse Ikpe Etim, which left a lasting impression amid the glitz and glamor of Nigeria’s most televised award show for film.
Entrepreneurship
Hilda Baci
Entrepreneurs
Hilda Baci
Entrepreneurs
Hilda Baci may be most recognisable from her Guinness world record breaking 100 hour cooking marathon in May 2023 but is there more to the internet sensation and chef? Bassey is a chef, restaurateur, actress but what she is most renowned for is her cooking marathon.
The cooking marathon was live streamed across social media, gaining support from across the diaspora and some notable Nigerian figures. These included Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Tiwa Savage, and was cheered on by hundreds of fans outside, pushing her to exceed her expectations and cook for 100 hours.
She says that she wanted to push her physical and mental limits whilst putting Nigerian cuisine on the international stage. Her restaurant My Food by Hilda has also gained attention and a following of 1.1 million on instagram, where she hosts a series of cooking classes to educate about and inspire appreciation for Nigerian cuisine.
Aduke Ogundiya
Entrepreneurs
Aduke Ogundiya
Entrepreneurs
There’s an event every other day in Lagos, and people like Aduke Ogundiya have a hold on what it takes to organize large and small scale events for brands and individuals. She is the founder and CEO of House of Aduke, a consultancy which has handled experiential activations for clients like Mavin Records, Alara Lagos, Edo State Government, X3M Ideas and more this year. With a background in social work, her passion for curating events in astute consideration of real life dynamics has been a driving force behind her success.
Dare Aderinokun
Entrepreneurs
Dare Aderinokun
Entrepreneurs
Mr Aderinokun is a 36-year-old who went from being a banker to a bartender. Transforming his hobby of recreational bartending, he started sending friends some cocktails which gained publicity on twitter. Prior to this, he worked in a marketing and communications role in one of Nigeria’s top banks, which to Dare, represented stability and a secure way to support his family but his affinity for cocktail making persisted.
When making cocktails for his friends and family, he started to feel more confident in his skills. This led to him accepting an opportunity to bartend at one of his sister’s catering events in 2019, after which he founded Quacktails with her. The company today has become a signature name in creative and corporate settings by virtue of its fresh recipes and prompt service.
With its innovative pouches, creative cocktails and boisterous branding, Quacktails has pushed the envelope on alcohol consumption in Lagos, across events, nightlife, and corporate activations. Mr. Aderinokun is a great example of the amount of positive change that’s possible when creative people hold on to their passions and wholeheartedly pursue them.
Oluwatosin Oluwaseinde
Entrepreneurs
Oluwatosin Oluwaseinde
Entrepreneurs
Oluwatosin Oluwaseinde founded Money Africa in 2018 which is a financial literacy and investment platform based in Lagos. After realising that she had poor savings and investment strategy, she decided to create a platform where Nigerians can be educated about money. Her company has also partnered with the United Nations to teach women from low income backgrounds about money and how to properly utilise it.
Fast forward to today, her platform has become immensely successful with over 500,000 followers on social media and over 1000 subscribers to their mailing list, Money Africa is becoming a hub for Nigerians to improve their investment skills. It also won the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority prize for innovation in June 2023.
Money Africa continues to provide financial literacy resources in a country where much of that knowledge is lacking in conventional educational systems. Oluwatosin rose from her shortcomings in financial knowledge, learning and gathering that information for others to use, her story is an inspiring instance of social good embedded in creating a sustainable business.
Samuel Nwatu
Entrepreneurs
Samuel Nwatu
Entrepreneurs
Samuel Nwatu, also known as Psalmuel Josephs, is a cosmetic formulator, aesthetics practitioner and founder of Nigerian skincare brand 25PSKYN. 25PSKYN is a bio-active skincare line that concentrates on the combination of high grade active ingredients, formulated by a team of experts with the aim of making high quality skincare products especially for people of colour. Nwatu also helps pair his customers with trusted dermatologists and skin care professionals with the aim of providing a holistic skincare experience.
Jumoke Dada
Entrepreneurs
Jumoke Dada
Entrepreneurs
Jumoke Dada is the CEO and founder of Taeillo which is an e-commerce furniture business which has innovated their customer experience by using virtual reality. Before Taeillo, the Nigerian furniture and interior design business relied upon local furniture makers who were often unreliable or foreign retailers, so she focused on building furniture using locally sourced material. This made her products more affordable and more distinct than her competitors.
Now, she has secured top clients including CcHub, Danfo Bistros & Dives, BellaNaija Style and many more working from Nigeria and Kenya. By pairing the virtual showroom and her locally sourced pieces, she has become an innovator in the African furniture industry.
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Abubakar Falalu
Entrepreneurs
Abubakar Falalu
Entrepreneurs
Abubakar Sadiq Falalu runs a rice production and milling farm in Kaduna called FalGates which grows, processes, packs and sells parboiled rice across Nigeria. Beginning his business in 2012 after studying in China and learning how much the government invests into the agriculture industry, he decided to learn all he could about rice production.
Around the time that Falalu started FaLGates, the Nigerian government launched an agricultural development incentive policy in 2012 which intended to help shift Nigeria from importers of agricultural products to producers and exporters. Despite many setbacks and losses, he persevered and in 2021 FaLGates reported an annual turnover of $3.4 million and is now expanding into maize and beef farming. As many Nigerian entrepreneurs today look to complex concepts and business models, Abubakar chose to bet big on indigenous agriculture, and he is reaping the benefits.
Yhemo Lee
Entrepreneurs
Yhemo Lee
Entrepreneurs
Yhemo Lee is an entrepreneur who has blossomed in the local nightlife scene. His passion for entertainment and his ability to create memorable experiences have earned him a reputation as one of the most prominent figures in the industry.
Yhemo Lee’s career began in the entertainment industry, where he worked with artists and managed clubs. His love for nightlife led him to venture into the club promotion business, where he quickly gained recognition for his ability to create unforgettable events and experiences.
Over the years, he has collaborated with renowned artists and celebrities including the likes of Asake, further enhancing his reputation in the hospitality scene.
Yhemo Lee’s events have become synonymous with Lagos-bling entertainment, attracting a diverse range of patrons, from local residents to international tourists.
Yhemo Lee’s dedication to providing high-quality entertainment and his ability to adapt to changing market conditions have made him a prominent figure in the local nightlife scene. His success in this industry has not only entertained countless criticisms and patrons, but also contributed to the overall growth and development of the nightlife scene in his community.
Obi Ozor
Entrepreneurs
Obi Ozor
Entrepreneurs
Obi Ozor is the co-founder and former CEO of Kobo360, he stepped down from his role as CEO in August 2023 to focus on his appointment as the Commissioner for Transportation in Enugu State. After working at Goldman Sachs and Uber’s Nigeria office, he founded Kobo360 in 2018 to provide an efficient and cost-effective way for large enterprises to find and be matched with transporters. Now, the company has hubs across the continent including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and many more.
Ozor was honoured as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader in 2021 which he believes is reflective of the global impact that Kobo360 has. By centering technology and AI in his business, he has created a logistics program which stands out against his competitors, encouraging innovation, constant expansion and improvement.
Onyeka Ugwu
Entrepreneurs
Onyeka Ugwu
Entrepreneurs
Onyeka Ugwu is a licensed aesthetician and laser technician with more than seven years of international experience. After practising in the United States, she moved back to Nigeria to launch her clinic Hello Perfect. Hello Perfect is an aesthetics and laser skin treatment clinic which she hopes will build the self esteem and confidence of every client who walks through its doors.
Onyeka advocates for equal representation in the beauty industry by ensuring that women regardless of race, skin colour and skin conditions are represented and treated with equal care and concern. Her commitment and expertise led her to be the recipient of the 2023 Woman of Merit Gold Award as part of the People, State & Resource Magazine’s National Awards.
Art & Photography
Yusuff Aina
Art & Photography
Yusuff Aina
Art & Photography
Yusuff Aina Abogunde is a multidisciplinary artist born in Lagos, Nigeria whose immersion in art stems from his childhood in Surulere. He practices through a technique he coined “Ainaism,” a self-taught and innovative approach blending creative lines, African patterns, and symbols. The term “Ainaism” draws inspiration from the Yoruba concept of “Aina,” illustrating a passage marked by challenges, aspirations, difficulties, resilience, and liberation.
Employing diverse media such as charcoal, colors, ink, paint and textile atmospheres, Aina’s artistic style extends across platforms like design, body art, interior, graffiti, and more. His creations delve into themes of Pan-Africanism, Black Power, socio-political issues, and the profound human struggles involving identity, isolation, and survival in the global landscape. Yusuff Aina Abogunde’s art has been showcased in several significant galleries and museums, including notable venues like Thinkspace Projects in LA, California.
In July 2023, Yusuf Aina unveiled his newest exhibition, “Escape Room,” curated by Retro Gallery. This immersive showcase takes viewers on a profound journey through Aina’s artistic evolution, capturing the profound impact of self-discovery and emotional exploration. The exhibition encouraged observers to navigate the complexities of vulnerability, resilience, and the unwavering quest for personal development.
Adenrele Sonariwo
Art & Photography
Adenrele Sonariwo
Art & Photography
Adenrele Sonariwo is a curator, art entrepreneur, and the founder of Rele Art Gallery & Rele Art Foundation. Sonariwo began her career as an accountant, following her time at Howard University, she dedicated four years to accounting at PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the largest audit firms in the United States.
Eventually, she made the decision to resign from her position, enrolling in a Curating Contemporary Art course at the University of the Arts in London. Subsequently earning a Masters of Fine Arts in Multimedia Communication from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Rele Gallery has established itself as a prominent presence in the Nigerian art scene, evolving into a premier destination for top-notch exhibitions in Lagos and Los Angeles. Sonariwo has successfully curated and supervised numerous art exhibitions that achieve commercial success and high praises. Her work has featured artists who boldly challenged artistic boundaries both within Nigeria and beyond.
Anthony Azekwoh
Art & Photography
Anthony Azekwoh
Art & Photography
Anthony Azekwoh, born in 2000, is a modern artist and author residing in Lagos, Nigeria. His artistic exploration ventures into fantastical realms, drawing inspiration from a childhood steeped in folklore. Anthony continues the time-honored tradition of African storytelling across contemporary digital mediums like NFTs.
Through his art, Anthony skillfully pays homage to cherished elements of the Nigerian identity, offering a unique perspective on his homeland to the global audience. His work serves as a personal lens through which he shares the beauty and significance of Nigeria and the black experience at large.
His collaborations to date include Meta & Rocket League, as well as covers for artists Jae5, Blaqbonez, Show Dem Camp, Adekunle Gold, Masego, Simi and more. His art has been exhibited in various cities worldwide; Lagos, Abuja, London, Tokyo, and Denver.
In October 2023, Anthony Azekwoh presented a solo art exhibition titled “There Is A Country” at Yenwa Gallery in Victoria Island, Lagos, commemorating Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary. The exhibition, divided into two volumes, delved into the complex tapestry of contemporary Nigeria with a theme connected to the significant events of October 20, 2020.
Described as an evolution of Chinua Achebe’s “There Was A Country,” the exhibition served as an artistic proclamation grappling with the new realities and unyielding hope of Nigeria’s young generation. Azekwoh’s works conveyed a mix of critical expressions and patriotic views, addressing past events like the Nigerian civil war and current crises. The art pieces, like “Soldier,” depicted the need for improved military funding, and a green-white-green flag stained with red, captured troubling aspects of Nigeria’s nationhood.
Daniel Obasi
Art & Photography
Daniel Obasi
Art & Photography
Daniel Obasi is a Nigerian director, art director, stylist, and photographer, dedicated to visually expanding African narratives. Initially entering the arts as a graphics design intern at a security company in 2012, Daniel Obasi’s journey evolved during university, where he pursued a Language degree. In this academic phase, he cultivated a fascination with the realm of fashion, particularly exploring societal perceptions of gender roles and masculinity.
His work, influenced by old cinema and Afrofuturism, delves into themes such as sexuality, masculinity, beauty, cultural symbolism, Afrocentric fantasy, and human relations. Obasi’s portfolio includes roles as a stylist and director for prominent music videos, such as Major Lazer and Burna Boy’s “All My Life” and Falana’s “Ride or Die.”
His collaborations extend to renowned brands like Orange Culture, Iamisigo, Maxivive, Rayo, Vlisco, and Miu Miu. His photography and award-winning films have shown at venues like the Smithsonian Center and Fashion Film Festival Milano.
In 2023, Obasi continued to make significant strides, earning a spot as one of the featured African artists in the Lavazza 2024 Calendar titled “More Than Us.” This calendar celebrates the rich diversity found within Africa. Obasi served as the creative director for Nicholas Huchard’s GQ France cover, Victoria Monet’s Essence cover, and the album cover art for Mr Eazi’s album, “The Evil Genius.”
Additionally, he styled the cast of on the Nigerian end of Travis Scott’s “Circus Maximus-Hyena” and curated a project called “The Way of the Birds” for Atmos, focusing on Nigeria’s largest carnival in Calabar.
Julius Agbaje
Art & Photography
Julius Agbaje
Art & Photography
Julius Agbaje is a Nigerian conceptual artist, who explores specific personal, socio-political, and religious issues in his artwork. In an effort to initiate thought-provoking conversations, he incorporates elements of humor and symbolic references. This dual approach renders his work both satirical and informative.
Agbaje views art as a reflective journal, documenting his journey through life, his relationships, and his engagement with human interactions and activities. Agbaje holds a degree in Painting from the Yaba College of Technology. Initially studying computer engineering as an undergraduate, he shifted his focus to visual arts to establish a more direct connection with a familiar community.
In his artworks, he often positions himself or his selected subjects within various poses, situated at the focal point of specific human activities inherent to his chosen environment. Utilizing pipes in his painting technique, he symbolically represents the interconnectedness of humans and their diverse sets of activities. His most notable work is the depiction of former president of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari as the “Joker” which served as a symbol during demonstrations against police brutality and economic instability.
In November 2023, Julius Agbaje was named among the recipients of the 2023 ArtX Prize from ArtX Lagos, celebrating and supporting emerging artistic talent from Africa and its diaspora with a grant of $10,000 and an exhibition at ArtX Lagos 2024. As part of the recognition, Julius Agbaje will also undertake a three-month residency at the Gasworks Foundation in London.
Stephen Tayo
Art & Photography
Stephen Tayo
Art & Photography
Stephen Tayo is a self-taught photographer residing in Lagos. His photographic work serves as a portrayal of the world around him, emphasizing the influence of style and fashion on identity, culture, community and religion.
Through his lens, Tayo captures the unique elements within the daily life of Nigeria, encompassing festivals, family celebrations, friendship and street life. His objective is to showcase the inherent beauty of mundane moments, by unfolding the diversity and richness of his homeland.
Blending documentary and fashion elements, Tayo elevates ordinary moments to underscore the beauty within his community. In May 2023, his latest photography exhibition, “Which Lagos You Dey” captured the authenticity and bustling nature in the streets of Lagos. This exhibition was his first solo show in Paris at the Union de la Jeunesse Internationale. Through his work, Tayo aims to convey the intricacies of humanity and human experience as manifested in his surroundings.
Ruby Okoro
Art & Photography
Ruby Okoro
Art & Photography
Ruby Okoro is a Nigerian visual artist born in Enugu State and raised in Rome and Lagos. Completely self-taught, his initial foray into art involved the exploration of his passion for vivid colors and expansive compositions through painting. Ruby’s audacious portraiture captures the spirit of non-conformity, drawing inspiration from everyday scenes.
A visual storyteller who embraces minimalism by exploring the multiple dimensions of identity, spirituality and intimate relationships. His lens skillfully records the human experience with exceptional emotional depth. This year, he has been instrumental in crafting visual bodies for Nigerian artists such as Rema, Crayon, Bloody Civilian, BOJ, Lady Donli, Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr, Magixx and more.
In July, a years-long professional relationship with Visual Supply Company or VSCO, blossomed into an official appointment as ambassador for the brand. A testament to his skill and unique eye for photographs, Ruby’s journey is marked with creativity meeting technology as he continues to inspire through his remarkable output.
Ayanfe Olarinde
Art & Photography
Ayanfe Olarinde
Art & Photography
Born in 1996, Ayanfe Olarinde is a self-taught multimedia visual artist living and working in the city of Lagos. Her venture into the world of art originated from a fondness of scribbling, a method she employs to express her emotions in striking ways. Ayanfe’s artistic evolution includes the integration of photography and mixed media collages. Across all works, she consistently explores themes of truth and self-exploration, while her overarching focus touches on critical examinations of society.
Ayanfe held two solo exhibitions this year; “In the Beginning and So it Goes” was her debut solo show at the JD Malat Gallery in London, which dug into Yoruba folklore and mysticism. In September 2023, her open studio exhibition, “LET THE KID PAINT!” was showcased in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her artwork is also famously on the cover of Afrobeats’ star Asake’s sophomore album “Work of Art.”
Oyinkan Dada
Art & Photography
Oyinkan Dada
Art & Photography
Oyinkansola Dada, originally from Lagos and currently residing in London, is the creator behind DADA Gallery and DADA Magazine. The gallery’s mission is to introduce dynamic contemporary Black artists to a worldwide audience. Since its establishment, the gallery has curated events across continents. Its lineup features Black creators whose work deviates from the conventional, engaging with challenging topics like immigration, sexuality, gender, and more.
Initially moving to London to pursue a law degree at King’s College London, Dada returned to Nigeria to immerse herself into the vitality and burgeoning art scene in the country while awaiting to become a solicitor. DADA Gallery originated from a blog named POLARTICS, which initially focused on African literature, culture, and politics. Oyinkan Dada immersed herself in the African creative scene through the blog, and subsequently transformed it into the DADA Gallery. The first issue of DADA Magazine featured artists like the legendary Ghanaian photographer, James Barnor, and contemporary changemakers in art like More100 inductee Daniel Obasi, Bunmi Agusto, Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, etc.
Nosa Asemota
Art & Photography
Nosa Asemota
Art & Photography
Nosa Asemota is the Special Assistant Visual Communications and Personal Photographer to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu. Asemota has earned recognition for his meticulous attention to detail and passion for his profession. His visual output combines technical proficiency with creative flair to document crucial moments from the center of Nigerian democracy.
Activism & Advocacy
Seyi Oluyole
Activism & Advocacy
Seyi Oluyole
Activism & Advocacy
Seyi Oluyole is an educator, instructor, dancer, scriptwriter, and the founder of Dreams Nurture Foundation. Seyi established the Dream Catchers Academy which serves as a source of hope for underprivileged children. Through the language of dance, the academy aims to offer these children a brighter future. The funds generated from their performances are reinvested in their well-being, ensuring they have a stable environment, access to education, and life essentials such as food and clothing.
Seyi Oluyole is also the founder of Dream Nurture Foundation, a global Christian relief organization. This foundation is dedicated to providing life and hope to children facing poverty. The foundation takes a comprehensive approach, offering support for education, shelter, and various activities such as sports, drama, and dance. She published a book “Inside Life: I Bend I Don’t Break” which centers on resilience and perseverance in the face of societal challenges.
In September 2023, Dream Nurture Initiative in partnership with multiple foundations worked on a special project to provide essential educational supplies and mentorship to underserved students.
Fola Francis
Activism & Advocacy
Fola Francis
Activism & Advocacy
Fola Francis made history as the first openly transgender model to grace the runways of Lagos Fashion Week in 2022. Her journey into the fashion realm began via a role as a TV producer, subsequently transitioning into fashion PR and fashion marketing to diversify her skill set.
Fola Francis is not only a trendsetter in the fashion scene but also an advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, utilizing her platform to champion inclusivity within both the fashion industry and society at large.
She uses social media to talk about trans rights and share her daily life. Through her online presence, she creates a space where people can learn about her daily experiences and understand more about transgender people. In honor of Trans Awareness Week, Fola Francis used her platform in collaboration with queer rights organizations to spread awareness and provide support to the trans community in Nigeria.
Tunde Onakoya
Activism & Advocacy
Tunde Onakoya
Activism & Advocacy
Tunde Onakoya is a skilled chess player and coach from Nigeria. He is the founder of Chess in Slums Africa. Tunde has been actively involved in organizing programs for children in various slums of Lagos, including Majidun (Ikorodu), Makoko, and more recently, Oshodi.
In September 2018, Chess in Slums Africa began as a non-profit organization driven by volunteers. The organization’s primary goal is to empower underserved children through chess. It connects underprivileged children with their dreams and offers free education, learning tools, and mentorship in poor areas. The project continues to make a significant impact for its cohorts and provides a lifeline for Nigerian kids living in underserved communities.
Orondaam Otto
Activism & Advocacy
Orondaam Otto
Activism & Advocacy
Orondaam Otto is a social entrepreneur and community organizer who recognized the growing number of children without access to education in Africa. In 2012, Orondaam took a significant step by establishing Slum2School Africa, which advocates for education for children living in underserved communities.
Since its beginning, Slum2School has transformed into one of Africa’s leading volunteer-driven developmental organizations. It has played a vital role by providing educational scholarships and assistance to more than 600,000 children at various stages of development.
In response to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, particularly for underserved children, Otto led the effort to develop Africa’s first virtual learning studio/classroom. This innovative initiative has played a crucial role in ensuring that over a thousand children continue their education through remote learning.
In July 2023, Slum2School was incorporated in the United States with approval from the Department of State and IRS which allows for global partnerships and creation of policies which will influence education of children across Africa
Ndi Kato
Activism & Advocacy
Ndi Kato
Activism & Advocacy
Ndi Kato is a dedicated advocate for human rights who previously ran as a candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the Kaduna State House of Assembly. She ventured into politics at a young age, predominantly working as a political analyst and an advocate for minority rights.
In October 2022, Kato assumed a role as spokesperson for Peter Obi’s Labour Party presidential election campaign. Kato uses her platform to uplift and inspire young girls, beyond her advocacy for the female child, she actively promotes women’s participation in politics.
Her significant involvement in the EndSARS protest in Abuja underscores her affinity for social and political causes. In conversations regarding her activism work, Kato’s foundation, Dinidari Foundation, is taking the steps to train people in response to gender and sexual-based violence. She also works to ensure that women take the lead in heading organizations.
Rinu Oduala
Activism & Advocacy
Rinu Oduala
Activism & Advocacy
Bolatito Rachel Olorunrinu Oduala, known by her alias Savvy Rinu, is the executive project director at human rights advocacy platform Connect Hub Nigeria. Her primary focus revolves around documenting, and advocating against incidents of state violence and police brutality in Nigeria.
Rinu is a dedicated human rights advocate, community organizer, and influential figure. Rinu’s commitment to addressing issues of equity, justice, humanity, and community advancement has made her a key player in the fight against mass incarceration and extra judicial killings by the Nigerian police.
With dozens of global speaking engagements, she has become a prominent voice in various forums, such as her Twitter Space, which is one of Nigeria’s largest dedicated to discussing Nigerian policy and advocacy.
Adebowale Adedayo
Activism & Advocacy
Adebowale Adedayo
Activism & Advocacy
Adebowale “Debo” Adedayo, also known as Mr Macaroni, is a Nigerian actor, content creator, and citizen activist. He became popular through his funny videos on social media, where he acts as characters like “Daddy Wa” or “Professor Hard Life.”
Aside from making people laugh, Debo uses his online presence for social justice. His videos humorously talk about serious issues, promoting human rights and critiquing everyday social situations. During the 2020 #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, he actively spoke out against police brutality, and was victim to it in real-time, documented online.
Debo created videos that cut across demographics, which highlighted the problems young people were facing and why they were protesting. Debo continues to use his platforms to raise awareness about social and political issues, as well as make his presence known and felt in the face of physical manifestations of oppression.
The podcast currently in season 3 has been graced with the appearances of Nigerian artists and creatives like Bloody Civilian, Tariq, Kold AF, Victony, Shallipopi, Stanley Okorie amongst others. Wonu Osikoya’s podcast has become a reference point for creatives to express themselves and share their creative journey.
Iresalewa Muhammed-Bello
Activism & Advocacy
Iresalewa Muhammed-Bello
Activism & Advocacy
Iresalewa Muhammed-Bello wears many hats as a banker, broadcaster, humanitarian, and the founder of Ni’mah Andre Foundation. Ni’mah Andre Foundation is a non-profit organization, dedicated to making quality healthcare accessible to everyone, particularly the less fortunate. They have raised over $150,000 through crowd-funding to provide a second chance at good health by raising funds for medical needs and promoting well-being among Nigerians.
Before starting her own program, Iresalewa volunteered with NGOs focusing on education and ending hunger, gaining experience in media-related work. Her involvement in the Impact Toolbox program exposed her to social entrepreneurship, leading her to formally launch her foundation in June 2023. She’s passionate about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those addressing poverty, hunger, health, and education.
Ebenezer Wikina
Activism & Advocacy
Ebenezer Wikina
Activism & Advocacy
Ebenezer Wikina is a highly recognized journalist, policy analyst, and advocate for youth causes. He is the creator of Policy Shapers, a civic tech organization focused on policy ideas driven by young individuals. He also works as a Campaign Strategist at Nguvu Collective. His dedication centers around promoting diplomacy and sustainable development.
Ebenezer presently heads the #ReformIELTS initiative, aiming to eliminate the unfair practice of requiring Anglo-Africans to take English proficiency exams when pursuing educational or work opportunities abroad.
Policy Shapers celebrated their three year anniversary which included accomplishments such as making over 90,000 people mobilized through advocacy change and 5 policy reforms including the JAMB policy reform and admission policy reviews. Through his work with Nguvu Collective, Wikina amongst others was able to curate stories of change leaders commemorating for Mental Health Day. He was also awarded an Exceptional Leadership Award from the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).
Azeez Abubakar
Activism & Advocacy
Azeez Abubakar
Activism & Advocacy
Azeez Abubakar is driven by a lifelong dedication to sustainable development, innovation, and technology. Serving as the Founder and Executive Director of Sustainable Solutions for Green Growth, Azeez stands out as a young leader in this field.
As a LEED Green Associate and a member of the YOUTHTOPIA Circle of Youth, Azeez is resolute in bringing about lasting change. He prioritizes practices that are not just environmentally conscious but also socially and economically responsible.
Azzez has continued to share his expertise and ideas on sustainability across the globe through his various invitations as a speaker in many conferences. Most recently, he highlighted green opportunities for youth and is currently working alongside other leaders on launching the Climate Risk Research Challenge to positively impact agriculture and food security across Africa.
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