Interrupted cycles
Since 1999, academic strikes have been regularly affecting tertiary education, leaving students' pursuits on pause. Despite these promises, the state of the educational system remains unaltered, failing to meet expectations of seamlessness and excellence. For students and lecturers, it is often a time of financial hardship and boredom, but also it can be an opportunity for self-reflection.
I personally turned to photography during a 9-month strike at the University of Ilorin, in 2020 and developed my career and grew my passion. This is what I wanted to document in this personal photographic project.
Christabel, Philip, Solomon, and Dayo are all Nigerian undergraduates. I followed their daily life, and how academic strike has affected their studies and shifted their career path. Now back on campus, most of the students have kept their businesses going, to enable them to make a living and support their family. From Mass communication to fashion design, from engineering to playing the saxophone professionally, or biology to photography, these stories show the resilience of the young Nigerian generation, who will turn obstacles into new opportunities.
Supported by Storymiacademy.

Christabel Iroegbu, 23, holds her matriculation picture outside her family house at Oshodi, Lagos on May 1, 2023. This matriculation marks the start of Christabel's academic career in Unilag in 2017.

Portrait of Christabel Ireogbu in her lecture hall in University of Lagos, March 29, 2023. “Academic delay is a big issue and it has personally affected me in a lot of ways. Right now I have been delayed from graduation for 2 years. I’m a final year student of Unilag, mass communication. And right now this is 2023 and if things should have gone as it should, I should be out of school by 2021 which is 2 years ago. And that is one way I’m greatly affected.”, Christabel says.

Christabel Ireogbu making a fabric design in her home studio. Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria. March 24, 2023.


Philip Bo holds his matriculation picture outside his school hostel at University of Lagos, May 1, 2023. This matriculation marks the start of Philip’s academic career in Unilag in 2017. Philip is a final year mass communication student at the University of Lagos. Philip has passion for football and pursues it as a career.

Portrait of Phillip Bo in his lecture hall at University of Lagos, May 3, 2023.

Philip Bo during a football training session at the University sport stadium, Lagos, Nigeria. April 12, 2023.


Dayo Daniel holds his matriculation picture outside his lecture hall at University of Lagos, May 1, 2023. This matriculation marks the start of Dayo’s academic career in Unilag in 2019. Dayo is a 200 level student of Unilag studying cell biology. “I got admission into Unilag 2019/2020, and I was supposed to graduate by 2023; this year. But looking at it, since the candidate I voted for has entered, that’s BAT. I know he is someone that projects good things for the nation, especially education wise. So having used two years already, I should project graduating in 2025.”- says Dayo Daniel.

Portrait of Dayo Daniel in his lecture hall at University of Lagos, May 3, 2023. “One of the problems I’ve actually seen is poor funding. I noticed and we actually have weak administrators too. One of the things they can do is to have proper funding which is a major problem affecting. When you see news about ASUU, what they are asking for is money.”- Daniel said.

Dayo Daniel during a photo session in a rented studio at Bariga, Lagos, Nigeria. April 11, 2023.

Dayo Daniel during a photo session in a rented studio at Bariga, Lagos, Nigeria. April 11, 2023.