Nigerian photographer and author Ernest Danjuma Enebi says his debut photo book, Waka Waka, is a celebration of African life, culture, and humanity — a visual reminder that the continent’s stories must be told by its own people.
Speaking on ARISE News during an interview marking the Nigerian leg of his world book tour, on Tuesday, Enebi said the 400-page collection — captured over 15 years across 15 African countries — was inspired by a desire to preserve authentic African stories beyond stereotypes and filtered imagery.
“I’ve been travelling for over 15 years, and the photos and stories in Waka Waka reflect my observations of African life across countries,” Enebi explained. “I decided at this point that our lives were worth preserving and telling — to show what contemporary Africa actually looks like, as opposed to this hodgepodge of African stories we always see.”
He said the title Waka Waka, a colloquial Nigerian term often used playfully to describe wanderers, was chosen deliberately to redefine the idea of movement.
“Growing up in Kaduna, Waka Waka was what they used to call me. I wanted to recapture the idea of movement — not aimless wandering, but recognising that everywhere you go, there’s a story unfolding,” he said. “All the photos in this book were shot on my iPhone. We all have the power to tell our stories as we move.”
Enebi emphasised that the project was as much about storytelling as it was about photography.
“I’ve always been committed to excellence, and while the photos are beautiful, the stories are what really matter,” he said. “We’ve moved from images of Africa’s decrepit side to more polished pictures of poverty. But putting a filter on it doesn’t change what we’re dealing with. It’s about telling different stories — creating a more complex, truthful vision of what Africa looks like.”
Following launches in New York, London, and Paris, Waka Waka made its African debut in Lagos with a photo exhibition at Relay Gallery in Ikoyi.
“Nigeria is our first stop in Africa,” Enebi noted. “Some of the photographs are being exhibited, and I’ll be signing copies. My goal is to get this book into people’s homes across the continent — even if I have to take it there myself.”
The author added that his next focus would be bringing Waka Waka to global audiences through exhibitions and collaborations.
“My job now is to get this book into the hands of people across Africa and the diaspora,” he said. “It’s important that we, as Africans, start to see ourselves in the ways I’ve tried to capture us. Once that story has been told, I’ll figure out the next step — maybe another version, maybe a show. But for now, I want this book to speak for itself.,”he concluded.
Boluwatife Enome
About the Author
