The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has announced a partnership with Nigerian photographers to explore how photography can be used to fight crime and promote social reform. This initiative will take center stage at the upcoming Abuja International Photo Festival, scheduled to hold from October 29 to 31, 2025, at the Exhibition Pavilion of the Abuja International Conference Centre.
The festival will bring together photographers, visual storytellers, and creative professionals from across the world to discuss how imagery can influence positive change. Experts will also deliberate on how to counter the spread of AI-generated images that fuel cybercrime and misinformation. According to the festival’s founder, Osaze Efe, over 1,500 photographers are expected to attend this year’s edition, which will focus on empowering youths through photography.
Efe highlighted that the photo festival has helped remove hundreds of young people from the streets by creating opportunities in the N250 billion photography industry. He revealed that the festival has mentored more than 500 young photographers, many of whom now use their cameras to tell stories that challenge injustice and encourage social awareness. This year’s theme, “A World Connected,” emphasizes how visual storytelling bridges cultural and emotional divides, promoting empathy and global understanding.
Speaking at a press conference, Cheikh Toure, UNODC’s representative, said the collaboration demonstrates the organization’s commitment to integrating art into social development and crime prevention. He stated that creative events like this not only engage youth but also offer them sustainable means of livelihood while reducing their vulnerability to criminal activities. “Photos speak volumes, and we can use them as tools to fight drug abuse, crime, and promote peace,” Toure said.
The festival is supported by partners including UNESCO, EINAO Solutions, the Embassy of Sweden, and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy. Panel discussions will cover topics such as Women Evolving Through the Lens, Faces Beyond Date – Advocating for Victims of Crime and Drug Abuse, and The Role of Photojournalism in Combating Misinformation. Through this collaboration, photography is being positioned not just as an art form, but as a powerful weapon for advocacy, youth empowerment, and social transformation.
