Celebrating African Visuals, The Nigerian Way
What does it really mean to celebrate African visuals?
Welcome to another blog post from NinthGrid, where we explore the deeper story behind African visuals. Not just the filters and vibes but the actual stories and everyday realities.
Coming off the back of Democracy Day and the long Eid holiday, social media has been buzzing with lots of imagery reflecting the rich culture of Nigeria. Festivals like Ojude Oba lit up our timelines with colors and tradition. But beyond the celebrations, this season reminds us of something constantly at the back of our minds at Ninthgrid, representation matters.
Why Nigerian Visuals Matter
Nigeria is a place where millions of stories play out every day in our markets and cities. From our Danfos, keke napeps, meals across the different tribes to our parties, weddings and so much more..
And yet, for too long, the images used to represent us globally haven’t been ours. They’ve been watered down versions, misrepresentations, or just plain wrong.
That’s why visuals are powerful.
A strong visual identity is more than branding. It’s a declaration that this is how we see ourselves not how the world chooses to see us.
These images aren’t just snapshots. They’re documentation and heritage. They’re proof that African beauty, hustle, joy, and complexity live in the everyday.
Which is why we are building Ninthgrid, to make space for images and visuals that don’t just look African, but feel African.
And now, that goes beyond photos.
Recently, we rolled out hundreds of Nigerian based illustrations across various themes from health and monuments to occupation and everyday life. These illustrations offer more than creative flexibility, they’re an expansion of our visual archive and our goal to reflect the realities of Africa and its people and culture
As we move deeper into the year, one thing’s clear: Africa’s visual future will be written and drawn by Africans.
So whether you're a designer, photographer, creative director, or brand, remember: Representation is a responsibility. Let’s honor it, boldly, beautifully, and the Nigerian way.
Need to design content that resonates with a Nigerian audience? Want to reflect modern African identity in your next campaign or post? Now you have more tools to do so authentically.
Check out our new Afrocentric image and illustration collections - www.ninthgrid.com