UK-based Nigerian clinches platinum award at 2026 MUSE photography awards

A significant achievement for Nigerian art on the international stage: Olamide Adegboye, a photographer based in the United Kingdom, has clinched a prestigious Platinum award at the 2026 MUSE Photography Awards. His recognition in the Fine Art Photography Conceptual category for his project 'Ara Ní n Rántí, Ẹmí Ní n Rí' (Body Remembers, Spirit Sees) highlights the growing global appreciation for nuanced artistic expressions from the African diaspora.

The MUSE Awards, judged by the International Awards Associate, saw Adegboye's work stand out among global entries. The organizers lauded his project as an "investigative journey into the Black interior life," serving as a "visual record of the spiritual energy and memory held within the Diaspora community." This acknowledgment from an international body validates the depth and significance of Adegboye's artistic exploration, positioning him as a notable voice in contemporary visual culture.

“

Winning this award is a significant milestone, but my ultimate goal is to document these untold histories so they are preserved as a permanent part of our culture.

For Adegboye, however, the award is more than personal acclaim; it represents a milestone in his broader mission of "documentation and cultural preservation." He describes his practice as "Visual Stewardship," a meticulous archival intervention aimed at protecting the "spiritual cartography of the Black interior life." This perspective underscores a commitment to unearthing and safeguarding underrepresented histories, contributing to a richer, more comprehensive understanding of the Black experience worldwide. His upcoming exhibition in London, featuring a dialogue with art critic Jean Wainwright, further cements his presence and influence within the international art community.

“

I view my practice as a form of Visual Stewardship; it is a meticulous archival intervention that protects the spiritual cartography of the Black interior life.