About Ayobami Ojikutu's work:
Photo Theme:
Dreams in the dust of young Minds out there wanting to grow up to become better but no proper upbringing
Photo Story:
Dreams in the Dust
In the heart of a forgotten neighborhood, among the ruins of crumbled concrete and rusted metal, three boys stood like kings of their own little world. They smiled as though they had no worries, but behind their laughter were dreams battling the weight of reality.
To the left was Seyi, his hands wrapped around a half-empty bottle of water. He wanted to be a Nigerian police officer—not the ones people feared, but the kind he saw in movies: brave, just, and protective. "I’ll catch thieves and make our streets safe," he would say, even though his own home had no lock on the door.
In the middle stood Malik, tall and proud, wearing a makeshift uniform from donated clothes. His dream was to be a soldier. “I’ll fight for Nigeria, for my mama, and for all the children with no voice,” he would declare. He often saluted passing motorcycles, pretending they were military convoys.
And then there was Timi, the cheekiest of them all, clutching a 7UP bottle as though it were a prize. He grinned and joked about becoming a thief—not because he was bad, but because the streets had taught him that survival sometimes meant taking. "If nobody helps you eat, you learn how to snatch bread," he once muttered.
None of them had shoes that fit. Their school had closed down months ago. Their parents, if around, were too burdened with surviving to dream for them. Yet they dreamed anyway—on broken streets, beneath a burning sun, their spirits undimmed.
Without funds, without proper upbringing, their paths were uncertain. But in that moment, in that picture, they were still just boys with dreams, holding onto hope in a place where hope is often the only thing left.
How long has Ayobami Ojikutu loved photography:
For 4 years now
How they discovered their passion for photography:
I discovered my passion for photography during my time at Ajayi Crowther University, and it was deeply connected to my involvement in student leadership and campus events. As someone who had served as head boy before university, I naturally gravitated toward roles that required creativity, organization, and communication. At ACU, I often found myself helping to coordinate or attend major events, and I started bringing a camera along—at first, just to capture memories.
It wasn’t long before I realized that I wasn’t just documenting moments—I was framing stories. Whether it was snapping shots during student union activities, capturing the energy at chapel services, or photographing the quiet beauty of the campus grounds, I found joy and purpose behind the lens. I later joined the media team (or collaborated with them), which allowed me to refine my skills, learn editing, and even get recognition for my work.
Photography became my creative outlet and a way to connect with people. What started as casual photo-taking turned into a true passion that continues to grow beyond the university walls.
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