Nigeria’s historic visual record is set for a major digital transformation as Digital Transformation Media Limited (DTML) and the Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria (GPN) have entered into a landmark partnership to preserve, digitise, and monetise decades of photographic work produced by Nigerian photojournalists.
The collaboration was formally unveiled on Friday at the 5th edition of the Guild’s Photography Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, a gathering that brought together industry leaders, visual storytellers, creatives, and technology experts to interrogate the future of photography in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
In his announcement, Shina Badaru, Founder and Chairman of DTML, the parent company of Technology Times and eGovernance Nigeria Magazine, described the partnership as “a truly historic moment, not only for DTML and the Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria (GPN), but for the entire Nigerian creative economy.”
Badaru reflected on how these images, some of which date back decades, remain scattered across private collections, newsroom archives, and personal storage. Many, he noted, are inaccessible to researchers, creators, and the global audiences now consuming content primarily through digital platforms. The new partnership between DTML and the Guild seeks to change that reality by establishing a dedicated digital multimedia heritage platform designed to house, showcase, and commercialise these visual assets.
He honoured the generations of Nigerian photojournalists who he said have served as “the unseen eyes of our nation,” capturing everything from daily life to landmark national events, and shaping the country’s collective memory.
Badaru reflected on how these images, some of which date back decades, remain scattered across private collections, newsroom archives, and personal storage. Many, he noted, are inaccessible to researchers, creators, and the global audiences now consuming content primarily through digital platforms. The new partnership between DTML and the Guild seeks to change that reality by establishing a dedicated digital multimedia heritage platform designed to house, showcase, and commercialise these visual assets.
He explained that the joint platform will “digitise, curate, preserve, and distribute” the works of Guild members to audiences around the world. “Our goal is simple yet transformative: To bring Nigeria’s visual stories back to life, back into relevance, and back into the global conversation,” he said.
According to him, the initiative aims to ensure that the heritage of Nigerian photojournalism “is not lost, forgotten, or underappreciated,” but instead becomes part of global cultural circulation while also generating economic value for the creators. He emphasised that the partnership would empower both veteran and emerging photographers by providing sustainable income pathways, especially through global licensing, digital exhibitions, and commercial access.
Earlier at the event, Mr Abiodun Ajala, the Chairman of the Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria welcomed participants to the annual conference, themed ‘Where Lies the Future of Authentic Photography with AI Disruption?’ He noted that photographers have navigated several waves of transformation from film to digital, and now to AI which have reshaped how images are captured, edited, and distributed. While acknowledging AI’s creative possibilities, he pointed out that it has also triggered important questions about originality, authenticity, and intellectual property.
Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria Chairman: AI has triggered key questions around photography
Badaru noted that photography remains a powerful tool beyond its artistic significance, describing it as an economic engine with untapped potential. By presenting Nigeria’s landscapes, cultural festivals, historical milestones, and everyday life through high-quality, credible images, the platform will support sectors such as tourism, cultural diplomacy, research, education, and creative industries including film, advertising, design, and publishing. “These photographs are not merely pictures, they are cultural assets with economic potential,” he said.
Reflecting on DTML’s journey since 2004, Badaru says the organisation has consistently pushed the boundaries of digital storytelling through platforms such as Technology Times and eGovernance Nigeria Magazine. The new partnership, he noted, aligns with DTML’s evolution into digital heritage, content monetisation, and creator-focused technology services. “At DTML, we stand solidly as the digital transformation partner of choice for the Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria. We are committed to unlocking unlimited opportunities for creators by ensuring that every image they have captured, whether yesterday or 40 years ago, can earn meaningful value in a digital-first world,” he said.
He stressed that the agreement represents more than a technological collaboration, calling it “a national heritage mission” grounded in mutual respect and long-term commitment.
Earlier at the event, Mr Abiodun Ajala, the Chairman of the Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria welcomed participants to the annual conference, themed ‘Where Lies the Future of Authentic Photography with AI Disruption?’ He noted that photographers have navigated several waves of transformation from film to digital, and now to AI which have reshaped how images are captured, edited, and distributed. While acknowledging AI’s creative possibilities, he pointed out that it has also triggered important questions about originality, authenticity, and intellectual property.
He told attendees that the conference would feature “insightful talks and exhibitions that will challenge our perspectives and inspire our creativity,” offering an opportunity for photographers to exchange strategies and understand shifting trends.
The highlight of the event was the formal signing of the Partnership Agreement between DTML and the Guild. According to the Guild Chairman, the partnership aims “to grant unrestricted rights to photographers’ works, empowering them to protect and monetize their creative output.” He added that the agreement is expected to strengthen industry-wide standards around copyright, licensing, and digital rights management, which are issues that are becoming increasingly urgent in the AI era.
He expressed gratitude to Badaru “whose foresight has made today’s event possible,” noting that his presence offered a valuable opportunity to discuss “the future of intellectual property rights in photography,” which he identified as a central motivation behind the partnership.
As both organisations move forward, the DTML–GPN initiative is positioned as a transformative step for Nigeria’s creative sector. The partners describe it as a long-term effort to digitise history, safeguard memory, and preserve identity while ensuring that the creators behind these iconic images are recognised and rewarded in a rapidly evolving digital world.
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