Mary Nnah
The Business of Photography Conference 2024 (BOP2024) held at The Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos, on March 20th, 2024 was aimed to promote the creative industry in Nigeria with a particular focus on the photography and videography industry and to enhance its recognition as a significant business sector in Nigeria and Africa.
The event concluded with resounding success, being the fifth edition, and attracted industry leaders, policymakers, creatives, and aspiring photographers and videographers.
The conference showcased insightful discussions, thought-provoking panels, and networking opportunities, cementing its reputation as a premier event in the creative industry calendar.
The convener of the BOP Conference, Mr. Kola Oshalusi, set the tone with his opening remark, emphasising the importance of harnessing Nigeria’s cultural wealth for economic prosperity. He stated, “The creative industry in Nigeria has the potential to employ everyone who doesn’t have a job if only it is explored, and that is the basis of this conference.”
Throughout the day, attendees were treated to a diverse array of perspectives and expertise, beginning with Bola Yinka Obebe’s illuminating speech on Speak Ede, followed by Obi Asika, Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, captivating Keynote Address on the transformative power of arts and culture. He stated “Photography is a critical part of communication and everything we do. If you check the growth of social media over the last decade, you’ll see that platforms like Instagram and Facebook have been driven massively by photography andayo visual direction. In Nigeria, we’re working to see more platforms to provide better opportunities for Photographers.”
The conference featured engaging panel sessions, each exploring crucial themes pertinent to the creative economy. The first session moderated by Yagazie Eguare featured industry stalwarts such as Tolagbe Martins, Mary Edoro, and Jokotade Shonowo, while topics ranged from exporting Brand Nigeria to empowering gender diversity and embracing cultural appreciation.
Notable panellists including Dayo Adedayo, Yinka Obebe, Adeniyi Adebisi, Chris Ifeanyi Oputa, Tope Tedela, Kelechi Amadi Obi, Bukola Oloyede, Jokotade Shonowo, Stephen Tayo, Bayo Omoboriowo, and Chalya Shagaya shared invaluable insights and perspectives, sparking dynamic conversations and actionable solutions. The conference also provided a platform for technological innovation, with a panel on smart technology moderated by Tobi Olanihun and featuring industry leaders such as Scott Eneje, Malik Afegbua, Oluseyi Magic, Ijeoma Amagwula, and Asabe Vincent-Okoro. In addition to the enriching discussions, attendees had the opportunity to explore experiential spaces, including Slickcity’s VR display, Infinix gadgets showcase, and WOW Connect’s 360 photo booth, enhancing their understanding of the evolving landscape of visual storytelling.
The global digital photography market is projected to soar to $149.98 billion by 2026 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4 per cent. Against this backdrop, the Business of Photography Conference stands as a beacon of industry advancement. With smartphone penetration and a burgeoning interest in photography driving this growth, this conference has not only anticipated these trends but also paved the way for professionals to capitalize on this lucrative market. As we celebrate the success of this conference, we affirm our commitment to empowering photographers worldwide to thrive in this dynamic landscape.
The success of the BOP Conference would not have been possible without the generous support of a rich array of sponsors, including Insigna Media, Sony, Teps, Infinix, Peter Bello Foundation, MoutonCadet, BellaNaija, YD Company, Sotectonic, Africa Soft Power, St. Remy, Aforevo, RedEdit Magazine, PulseNG, LASAA, Meristem, Ro-Marong, Shuttlers, WOW Connect, FashionEVO, and Fab’lstyle.
Reflecting on the conference, Oshalusi expressed his gratitude to all participants and stakeholders. As the curtains draw on yet another remarkable edition of the Business of Photography Conference, we look forward to building on the momentum generated and continuing our mission to elevate photography into a formidable business sector in Nigeria and beyond.
The Business of Photography as a project was designed to identify the business opportunities in the creative industry with a major focus on photography, its application as well as impact on our socioeconomic industry. The project was also designed to look at ways to expand knowledge and integration between creatives, the consuming public (Probable clients), and the government (Investment and policymakers).
