User:ItzAbdullahi
I am Abdullahi T.A, a Photojournalist and Documentary Filmmaker. Although born in Lagos, Nigeria, I am originally from Sheshe in Kano, Nigeria. I was raised in the slums of Lagos, specifically Idiaraba. This upbringing gave me an edge because, as a northerner raised in Lagos, I have been greatly influenced by multiple cultures, making me versatile and emotionally sensitive to people.
I believe in a community-driven, community-based, and community-led approach to storytelling. I am committed to capturing not only the essence of urban life but also exploring the culture and climate challenges within our communities. My work is rooted in the belief that the most authentic and powerful stories emerge from the heart of the communities they represent.
I was honored to receive the Wiki Loves Africa 2023Best Audio Prize for my Climate Audio story ‘Immersion’. Additionally, a short documentary I produced was shortlisted for the Paris Megacity Short Doc Award in 2022. I have collaborated with notable organizations to tell the stories of my
community, including Nigerian Slums and Informal Settlement Federation, Slum Dwellers International, Justice and Empowerment Initiatives Lagos, Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative Kano, KYC TV South Africa, and Market Photo Workshop in partnership with the Center on African Public Spaces on the project ‘Urban Spaces and Public Life’.
Currently, I am a student at Dikan Art Center, studying Photojournalism and Documentary Practice. Prior to this, I graduated with a degree in International Relations from Bayero University Kano in 2018. Although I have always had a passion for storytelling, my professional journey began after my university days.
In conclusion, for me, storytelling is a means to express our reality, be it positive or negative. I see storytelling as a medium to enact change, counter single narratives, and initiate discussions by empowering, educating, advocating, and sensitizing people about the realities within our society.
To see some of my works and projects i was involved in please visit our youtube page at Media4Change, and my Portfolio [1] my Linkedin page [2] IG:@officailly_ata_ and Twitter: @officailly_ata or my website https://abdullahita.mypixieset.com/