Abuja Photo Festival Explores How Imagery Can Fight Crime, Drug Abuse

The three-day event, taking place from October 29 to 31, 2025, at the Exhibition Pavilion of the Abuja International Conference Centre, brings together photographers, visual storytellers, journalists, and creative professionals from around the world to explore how imagery can inspire empathy, promote social reform, and bridge cultural divides.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of the event, the festival’s founder, Osaze Efe, said the Abuja International Photo Festival has become a major platform for creative dialogue and youth empowerment across Africa.

“Now in its ninth year, the Abuja International Photo Festival has grown into one of Africa’s most significant platforms for visual culture,” Efe said.

“Through photography, we are shaping conversations around identity, environment, migration, and human connection,” noting that “Beyond creativity, we are equipping young people with skills that enable them to earn a living and use their cameras as instruments of change.”

He added that over the years, the festival has mentored more than 500 young photographers, many of whom are now practicing professionals using their art to tell stories that challenge injustice and promote community awareness.

“These photographers have turned their passion into sustainable careers,” Efe explained. “They are unlocking opportunities in an industry valued at over ₦250 billion and proving that creativity can be both a tool for advocacy and economic empowerment.”

This year’s edition, he said, features over 1,500 participants and an exciting lineup of exhibitions, panel discussions, workshops, and awards. More than 170 photographs from artists across 22 countries are on display, exploring topics such as human connection, social inequality, environmental preservation, and migration.

Among the major panel sessions, he listed, are discussions on Women Evolving Through the Lens, Faces Beyond Date – Using Imagery to Advocate for Children Who Are Victims of Crimes and Drug Abuse, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and the Future of Visual Narratives, and The Role of Photojournalism in Combating Misinformation.

Prominent speakers include Aisha Augie, Director-General of the Center for Black and African Arts & Civilization (CBAAC); Henry “Big H” Oji; Belinda Holden of the Yinka Shonibare Foundation; and Ed Kashi, a National Geographic photographer known globally for his work in visual storytelling.

Workshops and mentorship sessions are also being held to empower emerging photographers, while a new Emerging Photographer Grant has been introduced to support early-career artists with funding, equipment, and training opportunities.

He explained that community engagement projects, including a photo walk, will connect young people and underrepresented groups to the power of photography as a voice for social change.

The festival enjoys the backing of several global and local institutions, including UNESCO, EINAO Solutions, the Embassy of Sweden, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Maubbys, and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy.

Representative of the UNODC, Cheikh Toure emphasized the agency’s commitment to using creative platforms to address social challenges.

“Festivals like this,” he said, “can form the basis to fight crime, engage the youth, and provide them with platforms to earn a living.”

He stressed that, “The world is shifting, and the role of photography is essential as photos speak volumes. That is why the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is proud to be part of this exhibition — to use imagery as a platform to curb crime, drug abuse, and promote positive youth engagement.”

He noted that the collaboration reflects UNODC’s broader mission to integrate cultural initiatives into social development and crime prevention strategies.

Efe however stressed that this year’s theme, ‘A World Connected’, embodies the belief that visual storytelling can transcend language and geography, linking people through shared emotions and experiences.

“In a world defined by both digital connection and social fragmentation, photography remains a tool of truth, empathy, and hope,” he said.

He emphasised that, “Through this festival, we are reaffirming our collective belief that art can change perspectives, influence policy, and build a more connected society.”