The aspiration for careers in the creative industry is not considered credible in the majority of Nigerian communities but since the birth of Lagos fashion week in 2011 and rumours of Vogue Africa surfaced in 2018, there has been more acceptance for young adults to divert from traditional academic practices and pursue their passion. 

 

However creative subjects are still not included in the national school curriculum nor are they encouraged as a hobby to pursue at a young age. 

 

In February 2019, I self funded and ran a photography workshop in two primary schools in Lagos, Nigeria for children aged four to eleven. As I believe that early exposure to the arts is vital to building the next generation of Nigerian creatives and image-makers.

 

I taught the children the basics of photography and styling as well as introduced them to the work of some of Nigeria’s established photographers. The pupils then conceptualised, styled, modelled and shot their own fashion stories.

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“The joyful results tell exuberant tales – of the wise farmer who catches a thief, the wicked king from the land of Zana who does not look after his people, the maid from the kingdom of Igala who dreams of becoming a princess – as well as simple retellings of the first day at school and a trip to the cinema. Samuel hopes that the children’s evident inventiveness and confidence - encouraged by this heartfelt series - will lead them to continue to think big in years to come”- Helen Jennings

 

Omo Nigeria has been featured on Nataal Magazine​ and exhibited at Gucci x HOME by Ronan Mckenzie and Tate Britain.

 

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