Nigerian documentary photographer, Oyewole Lawal, has won the Global Focus Award at the Global Focus Project for his long-term documentary series titled Earth Frontline: Guardians of Gaia – The Unseen Eco-Warriors.
Lawal represented Africa alongside Egyptian photographer, Aminat Kadous, at the event, which celebrates visual storytellers amplifying critical but underreported issues around the world.
In a statement made available on Tuesday, the organisers noted that Lawal’s project emerged from a personal encounter with landfill communities in Nigeria. What began as a search for shelter evolved into an immersive documentation of individuals working in hazardous conditions on society’s margins, often without acknowledgment of their contribution to urban sustainability.
The project centres on waste pickers and informal environmental workers, drawing attention to the health and physical toll of urban consumption on their lives. Rather than portraying them as victims, Lawal presents them as vital environmental stewards whose labour supports modern cities.
“This work came from listening and witnessing,” Lawal was quoted as saying. “At the landfill, I met people who carry the burden of our consumption for all of us. This award belongs to them.”
The Global Focus Award, presented in Sharjah, honours photographers whose work brings overlooked stories to international audiences. Lawal’s recognition, alongside Kadous, highlights the growing impact of African-led storytelling in global discussions on environmental justice, labour rights and climate responsibility.
Lawal, a Nigerian photojournalist and visual storyteller, focuses on themes such as labour, migration, identity and environmental inequality across West Africa. His approach is rooted in long-term engagement and lived experiences, using photography as a medium to promote visibility and accountability.
Through Earth Frontline: Guardians of Gaia, he sheds light on the resilience and endurance of workers whose daily efforts sustain urban ecosystems, offering a compelling reflection on survival and environmental responsibility in Africa.
