Artist statement:

My work highlights the resilience and determination of individuals affected by natural disasters, specifically floods, in Nigeria. Despite losing their homes and livelihoods, Mohammed and the old man from Tabak Bauchi State demonstrate courage and faith as they strive to rebuild their lives.

My work is relevant in today’s world, where climate change is affecting communities globally. It serves as a reminder of the human spirit’s capacity to persevere and adapt in the face of adversity, and the importance of hope, faith, and determination in overcoming challenges.

In Tabak Bauchi State, the old man, who had lost everything to the 2022 flood sat on a boat at a river bank, praying to God to give him and his family what to eat. 

Just twenty-nine days after completing his dream home, Mohammed’s community in Jigawa state, Nigeria,  was devastated by the 2022 floods, sweeping away his house and leaving him and his family displaced at an IDP camp. Undeterred, Mohammed returned to the site after the waters receded and courageously began rebuilding his home, determined to restore his family’s stability and shelter.

About the artist:

Abubakar Sadiq Mustapha is a multimedia storyteller whose works focus on climate change, displacement, identity, and culture. He believes in the power of photography and how it can be used for mental health and development. His work has appeared in the Ebedi Review, Ake Review, Lolwe, Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place, and Nature, The Nigeria Review, The Shallow Tales Review, Libretto Magazine, Salamander Ink Magazine and elsewhere. He is a fellow of the Bada Murya Fellowship and a 2023 fellow of the Imodoye Writers Residency. He is one of the finalists for the Africa Soft Power Climate Change Photo Essay Prize. He was selected as one of the overall best for Nigeria’s Wiki Loves Africa 2023 Photography contest.