Northern Women Urged to Break Barriers in Photojournalism as Experts Highlight Cultural Challenges

Experts in photography have expressed concern over the low involvement of Northern women in the art of photography, especially in photojournalism. During a three-day workshop in Kaduna, supported by Ideas and Global Academy (IDGA), renowned photojournalist and founder of SMM Images and Media Company, Sani Muhammad Maikatanga, highlighted the poor participation of Northern women in photography as a significant barrier to the development of photojournalism in the region.

Maikatanga lamented that only a few Northern women practice photography, with even fewer engaged in photojournalism or documentary photography. He attributed this to cultural and religious factors that have limited their involvement. “At SMM Images, we initiated this training to empower women in Northern Nigeria to overcome these barriers and actively participate in photography,” he said.

L-R. – Program Coordinator Documentary Photography Culture Exchange and Expression, Sani Maikatanga, Senior Photojournalist Leadership Newspaper, Gbenga Abiola, One of the Participants Ikilima Babangida Shehu, Program Facilitator, Sodiq Adelakun, representative of Ideas and Data Academy Katsina, Dr, Musa Abdullahi Sufi, and Guess Speaker of the Program Afolabi Sotunde at the Closing Ceremony of a 3 days Training on Photojournalism and Documentary Photography toward achieving sustainable development goals (SDG’s) in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), organized by smmimgas and media Ltd held in Kaduna on Weekend.

International Photojournalist Afolabi Sotumbe emphasized the importance of sustainable media practices in enhancing visual storytelling, documentary history, and investigative journalism. He urged photojournalists to adhere to ethical standards that ensure impactful visual narratives. Meanwhile, Sadiq Adelakun focused on the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in photojournalism, stressing the need for fact-checking and ethical responsibility.

Participants, including Zahra’u Gambo Lawan, Jamila Jamo, and Khadijah Abubakar, won awards in previous photography competitions and noted that the training had inspired them to pursue photojournalism. The workshop also featured practical activities, such as visits to Zazzau Emirate and the famous Fanteka market.