Nigerian photojournalist Sodiq Adelakun Adekola received the 2022 World Press Photo Africa “Stories” Award for his compelling series titled “Afraid to Go to School.” His photo series sheds light on the devastating impact of widespread school kidnappings across northern Nigeria, capturing the emotional toll on families and communities.
Spotlight on School Abductions
Adekola’s series documents a harrowing reality that has gripped many parts of Nigeria—armed groups abducting schoolchildren in large numbers. Through his lens, he brings global attention to the fear and suffering experienced by victims, especially young girls, and their families.
One of the photographs features Aminah Labaran, a pseudonym, mourning after her daughters were kidnapped on February 27, 2021, in Zamfara State. Another striking image shows the empty dormitory at the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe, taken shortly after the abduction of over 270 schoolgirls.
The Crisis Behind the Images
Northern Nigeria has witnessed a disturbing rise in school kidnappings since 2014, with criminal gangs and extremist groups targeting schools for ransom, political leverage, and to discourage Western education. Despite national and international outcries, the problem has worsened.
These kidnappings have caused millions of children to abandon school due to fear and insecurity. Families, particularly in rural and underserved areas, now often choose to keep their children—especially girls—at home, limiting access to education and increasing early marriages.
About the Photographer
Sodiq Adelakun Adekola is an experienced visual journalist based in Abuja, Nigeria. A graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, the University of Ibadan, and Pan-Atlantic University, he has spent his career documenting stories centered around human rights, social injustice, and the struggles of marginalized communities.
He currently works as a photojournalist for Agence France-Presse (AFP) and serves as the photo editor for Channels Television. His work has been featured in prestigious media outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, BBC, TIME, The Washington Post, and The Telegraph.
A Unique Perspective on an Ongoing Emergency
Adekola’s series was commended for its intimate portrayal of trauma, capturing the emotional void left behind by mass abductions. Rather than focusing solely on the moments of attack, he documented the lingering fear, the empty spaces, and the silent grief in communities torn apart by violence.
His commitment to telling these stories from within affected areas—often at great personal risk—brought global visibility to a crisis that many have grown numb to. The World Press Photo jury praised the narrative depth and emotional honesty of his work, which offered a rare human perspective on the ongoing tragedy.
Long-Term Impact and Continued Influence
Adekola’s award not only marks a career milestone but also establishes him as one of Nigeria’s most influential visual storytellers. His win made him only the second Nigerian to secure a regional World Press Photo award, and in 2024, he was invited to join the judging panel for the global contest, further solidifying his role in shaping international visual journalism.
His work through the nonprofit initiative Everyone Has A Story (EHAS) helps train young storytellers across Nigeria, ensuring that local voices continue to shine light on underreported issues.
A Global Call to Action
Through “Afraid to Go to School,” Adekola powerfully illustrates how education in Nigeria is under siege, and how the safety of children—particularly girls—is far from guaranteed. His storytelling gives voice to victims and survivors whose pain is often ignored, and his images serve as both a call to action and a record of resilience.
At a time when global attention has shifted away from the crisis, Adekola’s work forces viewers to confront the emotional and psychological scars left behind by violence, and the urgent need to protect education as a fundamental right.
