Nigerian documentary photographer, cultural anthropologist and author, Dayo Adedayo, has been named Africa’s Best Tourism Photographer for 2026 at the African Tourism Awards held in London, United Kingdom.

The recognition celebrates Adedayo’s outstanding contribution to photography, cultural documentation and the promotion of Nigeria’s tourism potential through visual storytelling spanning more than four decades.

The African Tourism Awards, also known as the Balearica Awards, took place on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the Hilton London Canary Wharf, bringing together tourism industry leaders, policymakers, media professionals and business operators from across Africa and the diaspora.

The ceremony was organised ahead of the World Travel Market (WTM) London, one of the major international gatherings for the global travel and tourism industry.

According to details of the award process, the selection involved a combination of public voting, which accounted for 20 per cent of the final assessment, professional jury evaluation at 40 per cent, and assessment by the Balearica Awards College, also contributing 40 per cent.

Adedayo’s award was presented by Ada Xu, Director of International Affairs at Fliggy, the travel platform operated by China’s Alibaba Group.

However, the photographer was represented at the ceremony by his son, Babatunde Adejimi Adedayo, who received the trophy on his behalf.

Reacting to the recognition, Adedayo expressed gratitude to God and described the award as a significant milestone in his professional journey.

He said the honour came after more than 40 years of documenting Nigeria’s breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures, historical landmarks and extraordinary heritage.

The photographer also appreciated individuals who had supported his career and contributed to his journey.

Describing the recognition as bigger than a personal achievement, he said:

This is not just my victory. It is a victory for Nigeria, for African tourism, and for the power of photography to tell our stories. The journey continues. The best is yet to come.”

His remarks highlighted the importance of photography as a tool for promoting national identity, preserving cultural heritage and attracting international attention to Africa’s tourism opportunities.

Apart from Adedayo’s achievement, several Nigerian organisations, businesses and personalities also received recognition at the ceremony for their contributions to the tourism and hospitality industry.

Among the Nigerian winners were:

• Tourism Attraction of the Year: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

• Travel Agency of the Year: Finchglow Travels.

• Online Travel Agency of the Year: Wakanow.

• Young Tourism Personality of the Year: Ibrahim Makanjuola.

The awards recognised excellence and innovation across different segments of Africa’s tourism industry, highlighting the contributions of individuals and institutions working to strengthen the continent’s global tourism profile.

Dayo Adedayo is an accomplished Nigerian photographer and cultural documentarian from Ijebu-Ife in Ogun State.

He studied at Westminster College and the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom, where he specialised in Photographic Arts. His academic journey also included a Diploma in General Agriculture from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Obafemi Awolowo University.

Over the years, he has built an extensive photographic archive containing millions of images documenting Nigeria’s landscapes, communities, historical sites and cultural heritage across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, covering the country’s 774 local government areas.

His photographic works have also featured on notable Nigerian national symbols and commemorative projects, including the Nigerian electronic passport, the ₦100 Centenary Banknote and the Centenary Monopoly Board.

In furtherance of his commitment to preserving and promoting Nigeria’s visual heritage, Adedayo established the Dayo Adedayo Photography (DAP) Experience Centre in Lagos.

The centre serves as a cultural and creative hub, featuring photographic exhibitions, studio facilities, a library and a café.

Beyond photography, Adedayo has authored several publications showcasing Nigeria’s cultural identity, tourism attractions and development.

Some of his notable books include Nigeria 2.0 (2015), Tour Nigeria (2018), Lagos State: The Centre of Excellence (2019), Ogun State: The Gateway State (2020), Window Seat (2024), Nigeria – A Timeless Beauty (2025) and Nigeria – A Visual Portrait (2026).

His latest recognition at the African Tourism Awards further underscores the growing importance of visual storytelling in promoting Nigeria’s tourism industry and presenting the country’s cultural wealth to international audiences.

The award also places a spotlight on the role of Nigerian creative professionals in strengthening Africa’s tourism image and showcasing the continent’s heritage to the world.