Nigerian photographer and founder of Optimistic Visuals, Akinmade Akinleye, has been announced as the winner of the Young Achievers Africa Awards (YAAA) in the Best Young Achiever Photographer of the Year 2025 category, which he dedicated to the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Akinleye, known in the creative industry as The Optimist, was also nominated for YAAA’s Best Inspiration Man of the Year 2025 but did not emerge as the winner.
The YAAA awards — awarded and hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, this month — aim to celebrate and promote young African talents excelling in various fields across the continent.
YAAA’s Best Photographer of the Year award honours exceptional talent, creativity, and impact in the field of photography and visual storytelling.
Akinleye noted that he became aware of the award through industry circles and recommendations.
“For the awards’ nomination, I submitted a detailed portfolio showcasing my recent photographic achievements and my efforts in empowering creatives through platforms like A Day with The Optimist, where I train and mentor young creatives across Africa in fine art, portrait, and fashion photography,” he said.
He stated that winning the award validates his years of hard work and creative exploration, serves as an inspiration to young creatives who look up to him, also opens borders for greater visibility, cultural networking, and international collaborations.
He dedicated the award to the memory of the souls lost during the 1994 Rwanda genocide — a gesture to honour not just the pain, but the resilience, of the Rwandan people.
“While my initial speech was meant to be light-hearted and uplifting, the weight of our setting and history compelled a shift. Standing on Rwandan soil during the 100 Days of Genocide against the Tutsi Memorial brought with it a solemn reminder of what we must never forget,” he said.
He further said that Ibadan is the root of his feats, adding that the award was not only for him, but also for his family, friends, community, team at Optimistic, and everyone who has dreamed with him.
“Let this be a reminder that Africa’s best days lie ahead, not in the hands of governments alone, but in the hearts and actions of her people. A greater Africa is not a dream — it is a duty,” he concluded.
In a similar development, Akinleye has been nominated for another award, the Global Entrepreneurs Award in the Corporate Excellence category, which will be awarded this November in Ghana.
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