How Photography Can Heal Nigeria and Empower Youth — Obasohan

A lawyer, photographer and visual storyteller, Endurance Nosakhare Obasohan, has said photography and visual storytelling can play a significant role in healing Nigeria’s social divisions, promoting national unity and creating economic opportunities for the youth.

Obasohan, founder and creative director of the Shutter For Change initiative, said his passion for using art as a tool for social change was inspired by his upbringing in Benin City, Edo State.

He said he grew up surrounded by artists and creators, adding that his older brother, an accomplished artist, painter and sculptor, introduced him to the transformative power of art from an early age.

According to him, the experience shaped his understanding of creativity as more than a means of expression, but also as a life-changing tool.

Speaking on the motivations behind Shutter For Change, Obasohan said the initiative was established in response to the divisions he observed within Nigerian society despite the country’s cultural diversity.

“I founded the initiative to use photography and visual storytelling to celebrate our shared humanity, promote national identity, strengthen social cohesion and contribute to healing of Nigeria’s collective trauma,” he said.

“Trust is the foundation of a thriving economy”

Obasohan said Nigeria’s economic development cannot be separated from the level of trust and cooperation among its citizens.

He argued that collective trauma could lead to mistrust, division and fragmentation, making it difficult for people to collaborate, innovate and build sustainable businesses.

“I believe economic growth starts with people. A nation experiencing collective trauma often struggles with distrust, division and fragmentation, making it difficult for people to collaborate, innovate and build lasting businesses,” he said.

“Healing helps restore trust, and trust is the foundation of any thriving economy.”

He explained that Shutter For Change will use visual storytelling to strengthen Nigerians’ sense of shared identity and encourage citizens to see each other as partners rather than strangers.

“When people trust each other, they are more willing to work together, invest together and create opportunities together,” he added.

The lawyer also said the initiative would encourage young Nigerians to embrace creativity, confidence and innovation, with the aim of preparing them to compete in the global creative economy.

Initiative to train and mentor young Nigerians

Obasohan said Nigeria’s creative industry has enormous potential, stressing that the country’s greatest asset is the creativity of its people.

He said Shutter For Change will seek to help young Nigerians discover opportunities within their communities and their imaginations through workshops, mentorship programs and hands-on learning opportunities.

He said the programs will equip participants with creative, storytelling and visual communication skills.

“Our initiative plans to contribute by creating workshops, mentorship programs and learning opportunities that equip young people with creative, storytelling and visual communication skills,” he said.

Obasohan added that the initiative would encourage young people to see creativity as a means to solve problems, create businesses, generate employment and drive social change.

Photography can create jobs – Founder

The founder of Shutter For Change noted that photography and visual storytelling were already providing livelihoods to thousands of young Nigerians.

He said photographers, filmmakers, content creators and visual artists have built successful careers through their skills, some of whom have earned significant incomes and created employment for others.

He said his organization plans to expand such opportunities through training, mentorship and hands-on storytelling projects.

According to him, photography has evolved beyond simply taking photos, as the skill could provide entry points into documentary production, journalism, advertising, digital marketing, tourism, fashion and media production.

“Photography is no longer just about taking pictures. It opens doors to documentary filmmaking, journalism, advertising, digital marketing, tourism, fashion, multimedia production and the creative industry in general,” he said.

Obasohan aims for a five-year impact

Looking ahead, Obasohan said he was optimistic about Shutter For Change’s potential impact on Nigeria’s social and economic development over the next five years.

He said the initiative will be driven by research and adopt evidence-based strategies that have worked in other companies and measure their impact.

On the social front, he said he hoped to see a Nigeria in which ethnic and religious differences were no longer major sources of conflict, violence and mistrust.

“I envision a safer, more welcoming and more inclusive society in which unity, tolerance and mutual respect become everyday values,” he said.

Economically, Obasohan said he wants more young Nigerians to benefit from opportunities in photography, filmmaking, visual storytelling and cultural documentation.

He added that greater trust and social cohesion could encourage Nigerians to collaborate, create businesses, exchange ideas and invest in their communities.

For Obasohan, the camera is therefore not simply a tool for capturing images, but a tool that can document Nigeria’s stories, connect communities, empower youth and contribute to the healing and development of the country.