1st prize goes to the image “Aerial view of a busy tomato market in Lagos Nigeria” by User:Ayorinde Ogundele (Nigeria)), Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA 4.0. Download link
An in-depth look at Wiki Loves Africa’s International Photography First Prize winner: “Aerial View of Lagos Tomato Market” by Ayorinde Ogundele (Nigeria)
“This photograph immediately draws you in because it’s so different, you instantly become curious and ask ‘what’s this?’, then it all makes sense and you are left with ‘wow, what wonder!” — Bea de los Arcos, International Photography Jury
The winning photograph offers a mesmerising aerial perspective of one of Lagos’ busiest tomato markets. At first glance, the scene resembles pixels in a digital mosaic — crates and barrels forming vibrant geometric patterns. But look closer, and life emerges: the cardinal red glow of ripened tomatoes, the bursts of colour from traders’ clothing, and the dynamic movement of buyers and sellers navigating the paths between sacks and crates of produce. This striking image perfectly embodies the Farm to Plate theme, revealing both the scale and rhythm of Africa’s food economy.
“It pushes me to be creative enough to produce photos that truly fit the theme. I’ve learned how to plan, organise, and relate with subjects before documenting the stories that need to be told.”
— Ayorinde Ogundele
For photographer Ayorinde Ogundele, the award-winning image began as part of a personal short film project exploring “people and where they gather.” During filming, he launched his drone above Mile 12 Market — one of Lagos’ largest and busiest trading hubs — and captured a breathtaking aerial view of its vibrant tomato and pepper section. Every day, hundreds of trucks arrive here, unloading farm produce from across Nigeria, neighbouring West African countries, and even international imports.
From above, the scene becomes a living tapestry: a geometry of stacked crates, pathways cut by traders weaving through them, bursts of patterned umbrellas and clothing, and barrels spilling with ripened tomatoes. What seems at first like digital pixels slowly reveals the human heartbeat beneath — the buyers, sellers, farmers, and drivers who keep this essential market alive.Reflecting on the competition’s Farm to Plate theme, Ayorinde Ogundele says the process opened his eyes to the hidden journey behind food:
“It helped me learn about personal stories and how stakeholders in the food industry interact with each other — from the farmers in the fields to the traders at the market. It was an eye-opening adventure on the hard work required for food to get to our table.”
Participating in Wiki Loves Africa has also had a transformative impact on his creative practice:
“It pushes me to be creative enough to produce photos that truly fit the theme. I’ve learned how to plan, organise, and relate with subjects before documenting the stories that need to be told.”
For him, the competition is more than an artistic challenge — it’s part of a bigger movement:
“It provides a much-needed avenue for Africans to tell their own perspective about Africa, rather than relying on foreign influence. It lets us explore the stories, culture, and heritage that shape the continent and its people.”
To download Ayorinde’s winning photograph from Wikimedia Commons, click here!