2024 in photos

2024 was indeed that year, I was opportuned to tell stories for publications, NGOs, Cooperate clients and magazines. Every project was truly special and unique. Here are my favorite photos from stories I worked on this year.

In a hospital in Borno state, Nigeria, Batool Alhaji, a community health worker, conducts a prenatal exam. Alhaji spent seven days on the road fleeing from the armed opposition group who captured her hometown. After fleeing, she learned about FHI 360’s presence in her town and decided to return, once insurgents left, to become a volunteer through a program, funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. For over seven years, Alhaji has helped provide sexual and reproductive health services to women, addressing a critical need that women have struggled to access. Her efforts have enabled her to collaborate with her husband to build a house, start a livestock business, and enroll their children in school.

Salisu Garba Ahmad, Community health worker working with Murtala Muhammad General Hospital in Kano. For New York Times.

Our Genetic Legacy is an organisation that trains young girls to become certified drone pilots, equipping them with the skills to share hidden histories through aerial storytelling. During this trip, I accompanied five young ladies from California, who joined five Nigerian high school girls. Together, they conducted historical research and mapping of the Point of No Return.

Girls at Fela shrine and Badagry.

Flooding aftermath which includes damages facilities and submegerd houses area. For Mercy Corps

I traveled at lot to Maiduguri this year. One of the highlight is the flooding that happened this was indeed a devastating story to photograph. On September 10, 2024, Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, experienced devastating flooding due to the overflow of the Alau Dam, which connects to the river flowing from Cameroon. Thousands of residents were displaced, and many lives were lost in this tragic event.

Photographing portraits for The New York Times on Chibok girls — Saratu who shared her abduction story 10 years after being kidnapped, and Alice Loksha Ngaddah, who recently escaped from ISWAP terrorist group in Borno. I truly hope they find long lasting comfort and can live a normal life, again.

Portrait of Alice Loksha Ngaddah, 42 and Saratu Dauda; 26, in Maiduguri. For New York Times

NGO stories on program like Health, Nutrition, Sanitation/WASH, emergency response, gender equality and so on.

Babakaka Bukar, 26, a FHI Nutrition Assistant on duty at Primary Healthcare ISS camp Ngala and Portrait of Jacobs Tumba; Mercy Corps Senior Cash Platform officer.

Portrait of Samaila Rouada at his home. Samaila Rouada, 25, trader and breeder. He is a member of the Neman Sa’a group Youth Connect program who has received training in several areas, including cattle feed production.

Soap making in progress by Kani under Youth connect program in Tillaberi and Kaka-Kiari Momoudou during a sensitization program In Dakoro, Maradi, Niger.

Mallam Abba Ramad, 46-year-old father of 11 whose farmland filled crops of beans, wheat, and groundnuts was destroyed due to flood. Mallam Abba is part of the THRIVE cash beneficiary program. For Mercy Corps

Yessa Bakalle, 31, at ongoing soap making facilitated by volunteer Amina Ishaka and assisted by Hajj Fanna Manu at the women and girls safe space, IDP camp, Ngala, Borno. The FHI 360 Women and Girls Safe Space offers much-needed support to women affected by armed conflict.

Wishing you a thrilling 2025, just as arsenal fans like Mr Adeshina and friends were thrilled in the photograph below.

Best,

Taiwo Aina,

Storyteller | Photographer.

Visit my website.