Visual artist, documentary photographer and filmmaker, Damilola Onafuwa, is enjoying a remarkable run of career milestones that highlight his vision of storytelling as a tool for change.
Fresh from curating an exhibition at the United Nations House, Abuja, to mark World Humanitarian Day, Onafuwa was honoured with the 2025 Lord’s Achievers Award in the Visual Arts category. The ceremony, hosted by Layi Wasabi and Kaylah Oniwo, brought together some of Nigeria’s most influential voices to celebrate young achievers making an impact across various fields.
Reflecting on the recognition, Onafuwa told Sunday Scoop, “It’s humbling to be recognised among peers who are all pushing boundaries in their different industries. For me, this award is a reminder that visual storytelling matters. It has the power to spark dialogue, inspire empathy, and ultimately, drive change.”
That belief is at the heart of his latest film project, Dreams on Edge, directed under his creative collective, StoryMaxima. The documentary has earned international recognition with an official selection at the upcoming Ateker International Film Festival in Turkana, Kenya, this September. It has also been nominated in two categories — Best Cinematography and Best Documentary Short Film.
Describing the film, Onafuwa said, “It is an invitation for all of us to look beyond the obstacles we face and to hold on to the dignity of our dreams. It is a call to freedom, to courage, and to never giving up.”
The film had earlier premiered at Oxford’s Skoll World Forum, but its festival debut in Kenya signals a new chapter for the filmmaker, whose work consistently engages with themes of resilience, humanity, and justice.
