Tolani Alli, the Special Assistant on Visual Communications to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State. It was a role that allowed her to lay the foundation for a career that would eventually take her to the highest levels of the Presidency in Nigeria.

As the Special Assistant on Visual Communications to the President of Nigeria, Tolani served as the personal photographer, and head of content creation, production, branding, and social media strategy for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, she was instrumental in shaping the visual narrative of Nigeria’s leadership, bringing depth and vision to her work.

Today, Tolani serves as the Executive Creative Adviser and Digital Storyteller to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank. In this groundbreaking role within the multilateral development bank sector, she has documented major development projects across Africa, capturing the essence of world monetary leaders and global figures such as King Charles at significant events like COP 28 and the G-7 Summit. Her work in this arena is both innovative and unprecedented, setting a new standard for documenting global leadership.

But Tolani’s influence doesn’t stop with photography; it transcends into films, documentaries, and productions. As she has executive produced four major documentaries that have aired on global platforms and was the only African storyteller featured in Netflix’s Strong Black Lens, a series honoured with three Webby Awards and an Emmy nomination.

Her collaborations with creatives like Kwaku Alston, Dana Scruggs, and Flo Ngala further solidify her as a pioneer, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in visual storytelling. Tolani’s achievements speak volumes.

She is the first female photographer in Nigeria to receive both the Presidential Medal of Honor and the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), accolades typically reserved for scholars and distinguished innovators.

Her academic journey, which began at The University of Michigan and continued through specialised programs such as the World Press Photo Noor Images Program, Two Mann University, and the Danish School of Photojournalism/ Media Documentary Program, has been marked by excellence and distinction.

As a speaker, Tolani’s words carry weight. Her keynote at the Fearless Photographers Conference in Croatia challenged a global audience to embrace a new African narrative. At the 2023 UNDP Leadership Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, she led a session on storytelling, engaging with leaders such as President Paul Kagame, 19 Nigerian governors, and Masai Ujuri.

Her work at these events has only reinforced her role as a catalyst for change. Recognized as one of the top 30 most influential young Nigerians, Tolani is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of storytellers, championing inclusivity, and reshaping global perspectives. Her work is driven by a bold vision that continues to leave an indelible mark on the world .