Canon rewards Nigerian photographer who spent 25 years documenting local football
After over 25 years of capturing the highs and lows of Nigeria’s local football scene with a decades-old camera, veteran photojournalist Akeem Olamide Olaosun - affectionately known as Ola Photo Sports - has finally received the recognition he deserves.
On Thursday, global imaging brand Canon honored the Ibadan-born photographer with an official certificate of recognition and gifted him a brand-new digital camera, marking a new chapter in his long career behind the lens.
For more than two decades, Olaosun roamed stadiums across the country, faithfully covering matches in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). With minimal resources but a deep passion for the sport, he became a familiar face on the sidelines, quietly building a legacy in grassroots sports photography.
Olaosun’s story gained nationwide attention in 2024 when fellow photographer Taofeek Ibrahim Adeshina, known as FotoNugget, posted a photo of him working at a league match. The image, accompanied by a touching caption detailing Olaosun’s journey, quickly went viral on social media.
“For over 25 years, Mr. Akeem has tirelessly captured the essence of Nigerian football,” Adeshina wrote. The post sparked public admiration and a crowdfunding campaign to support Olaosun’s work.
This week, Adeshina returned with another post, “I’m happy to share that Canon has officially recognized Mr. Akeem’s work. They’ve honored him with a certification and a brand-new camera. Truly, a single picture can change a story,” the Punch Lite quotes.
Olaosun is widely regarded as one of the most dedicated figures in Nigeria’s football photography scene.
Source: globalsouthworld
