Caption : Samson Oriyomi
Samson Oriyomi is a visionary cybersecurity engineer turned internationally exhibiting fine art photographer whose work bridges technology, identity, silence, and memory. In this interview with Omolara Akintoye, he speaks about his passion for photography, how his works spans globally, why he’s empowering emerging artists as an educator and a leader, among other issues.
From Cybersecurity to Photography
From his beginnings as a teenage enthusiast to becoming a globally exhibited fine art photographer, Samson Oriyomi Yusuf has consistently demonstrated that silence can speak, light can heal, and imagery can preserve identity across generations.
Balancing analytical precision from his cybersecurity background with emotional storytelling through photography, he stands at a rare intersection of technology and art — building not only exhibitions, but enduring visual legacies.
An Educator & Thoughtful leader
Beyond the studio and gallery walls, Samson is an educator and thoughtful leader who empowers emerging artists in 2023 with the theme
Finding Your Visual Voice in Fine Art Photography held at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.
Also in 2023 – Samson Oriyomi also pioneers From Concept to Exhibition: Building a Cohesive Fine Art Series held at The Art Place, Lagos.
In 2024, The Business of Fine Art Photography which took place at ArtX Lagos. In the same year, Light as Emotion: Using Lighting to Shape Meaning came to life at University of Ife, Osun, Nigeria.
In 2025, Critique Session: Strengthening Conceptual Depth was held at Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, among others.
Solo & Group Exhibitions
Samsom Oriyomi has executed both Solo and Group exhibitions which have been presented across Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and the United Kingdom.
His Solo Exhibitions include :
The Quiet Shadow held September 12-19th, 2022 at Quintessence Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria; Fragments of the Unseen was held August 1-5th, 2025 at Yenwa Art Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria;
The Silence We Carry held July 9-14th, 2023 also at Yenwa Art Gallery, Lagos, Nigeria.
Another exhibition Where the Gaze Rests was held September 12-15th, 2022, venue, Art Place, Nigeria;
She Carries the Night took place January 24-28th, 2022 at Omenka Gallery, Nigeria.
Others exhibitions include:
The Witness Within November 20-23rd, 2022, held at Terra Kulture, Nigeria;
Light Segments was held June 2-5th, 2022, venue Gallery 1957, Ghana;
Framed Mind was held at Gallery 1957, United kingdom in March 11-14th, 2024;
What we Carry was held June 2-6th 2024 at Mydrim Gallery, Nigeria;
Visions Art was held last September 20, 2025 at African Centre – United kingdom; and Movements also took place in September 22-23rd, 2025bat CasildART Gallery, United kingdom.
Samson Oriyomi’s Group Exhibitions have been hosted in Nigeria and Uganda, further expanding his continental presence:
They are as follows:
Echoes of Light in May 6-10, 2021 at Federal Palace Hotel, Nigeria;
Stillness Between Seconds was November 12-15th, 2021 at The Art Place, Nigeria;
Fragments of Seeing was held February 10-16th, 2022 at Terra Kulture, Nigeria;
The Geometry of Silence took place October 1-7th at Nike Art Gallery, Nigeria.
His other Group Exhibitions include:
Where Shadows Breathe held July 5-11th, 2024 at Muson Centre, Nigeria; and lastly, Beyond the Visible Frame took place November 16-23rd at Afriart Gallery, Uganda.
Through these exhibitions across Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and United Kingdom, Samson Oriyomi continues to build a cross continental artistic presence, presenting deeply conceptual fine art photography that speaks to identity, culture, spirituality and collective memory.
Major Commissions & Cultural Projects Executed so far
In year 2024, Samson Oriyomi executed
Cultural Heritage Portrait Series which was Commissioned by the Nigerian Ministry of Tourism. This fine art portrait series documented traditional attire and identity across Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa cultures highlighting textiles, scarification, beads, and generational narratives.
Another project, the Urban Youth Identity Project (Lagos Focus) was Commissioned by Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, ; this gallery-bound essay captured contemporary Lagos youth culture blending documentary realism with conceptual fine art.
Another project was the Architectural Memory Series – Colonial & Postcolonial Buildings was commissioned by the Nigerian Ministry of Tourism. This visual archive explored historic structures in Ibadan and Calabar, examining time, decay, preservation, and postcolonial identity.
The Niger Delta Environmental Portraiture was Commissioned by Shell Nigeria, this socially conscious series documented Niger Delta communities affected by oil exploration merging portraiture with environmental landscape to reflect resilience and impact.
In year 2025, Samson Oriyomi’s support for the womenfolk came to bear when he executed the Women in Leadership – Contemporary Icons of Nigeria project and was Commissioned by the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu. This portrait series honored influential Nigerian women in politics, business, and the arts, drawing inspiration from figures such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, among others.
Sacred Spaces Project was also Commissioned by the Ministry of Tourism Nigeria, this contemplative documentation of worship spaces included the National Mosque Abuja and the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, focusing on architecture, light, and spirituality.
Another project executed was Afrofuturism Conceptual Series Commissioned by the Lagos State Tourism Commission. This stylized studio-based project reimagined Nigeria in 2125 — blending costume, digital manipulation, and symbolic narrative inspired by Afrofuturist movements.
The Festival Documentation – Durbar & Osun-Osogbo was Commissioned by the Ogun State Government. This fine art reinterpretation of the Durbar and Osun-Osogbo festivals explored movement, regalia, and ritual performance.
Diaspora Identity Series (UK & US Nigerians) was Commissioned by the Nigerian Diaspora Commission. A portrait project documented Nigerian families in London and Atlanta, exploring dual identity, migration narratives, and heritage preservation.
The Fine Art Corporate Commission – Nigerian Tech Leaders was Commissioned by Co-Creation Hub, this conceptual portrait series captured founders within Nigeria’s growing technology ecosystem for corporate collections and international exhibitions.
Awards & Recognition
Samson’s contributions to the arts have earned him distinguished honors: this include: La Mode Awards in 2022, a Special Recognition for Contribution to the Arts
In 2023, Oriyomi received the African Icon Awards, Special Honours Excellence Award, among others
