The 4th edition of the Minna Photography Contest (MPC) was successfully held from the 30th to 31st October, 2026, at the headquarters of the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation HCAF) in Minna, Niger State. The theme of the contest was: Plants in and around the Art Centre.
The contest is in memory of the late Amb. J. T. Kolo and sponsored by Timeout4Africa Basketball and Education Foundation, owned by Mr Jonathan Kolo. The Minna Photography Contest is administered by the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation, Minna.
This edition, aimed at promoting digital artistry and visual storytelling among secondary school students, witnessed a total of 26 vibrant participants from 11 secondary schools in Minna, Niger State. The participating schools include:
- Aisha Audi Schools, Minna;
- The Redeemers High Schools, Minna;
- Fr. O’Connell Science College, Minna;
- Beracah Academy, Minna;
- Legend International School, Minna;
- Champions Learning Field Schools, Minna;
- Mypa Schools, Minna;
- FUT Model School, Minna;
- Hill-Top Model School, Minna;
- Baiwa International School, Minna; and
- Future Stars Model School, Minna
The first day featured the opening ceremony and the shooting sessions. Mr Abel Onafurume, MPC Coordinator, delivered the welcome address.
The Director of Arts of HCAF, Mr Auwalu Sakiwa, delivered the speech on behalf of the Founder, Pa BM Dzukogi. The Chief Judge, Miracle Ugbede Adah, CEO of M Creation Global Consult, led a workshop on photography as a storytelling medium. He took the participants on a discourse through the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed and ISO), camera settings needed, and also covered lighting, the placement of objects, shape and colour. The HIASFEST National Coordinator and Head of Administration of HCAF, Mr Makama Shekwoaga, was also present at the event, overseeing the general coordination of the event. Timeout4Africa was also represented by Mr Harry Ayele and Mr John Tsado.
The contestants thereafter proceeded to explore and take their shots. The contestants later selected their best two shots for printing, collation and judging.
The second day witnessed the closing ceremony, a photo exhibition and the awards presentation. Speeches were delivered by the Founder of HCAF, Pa BM Dzukogi, Mr Auwalu Sakiwa and the MPC Coordinator, Mr Abel Onafurume. Dr Hauwa Kolo, Coordinator of the STEM Project, Timeout4Africa, gave a goodwill message. The Special Guest of Honour, Pharm. Abdulkadir Muhammad Abugi, the PDP contestant for the Federal House of Representatives seat (Chanchaga Constituency), delivered heartwarming remarks and pledged to fully sponsor the 5th edition of MPC.
Thereafter, the top 10 participants were awarded certificates and cash prizes, with medals for the first three winners as follows:
- 1st Position (Certificate, Gold Medal and ₦70,000) – Medina Abdulmalik, Mypa Schools, Minna
- 2nd Position (Certificate, Silver Medal and ₦50,000) – Adeniyi Upperlevel- The Redeemers High School, Minna
- 3rd Position (Certificate, Bronze Medal and ₦30,000) – Great Benson- The Redeemers High School, Minna
- 4th Position (Certificate and ₦10,000) – Idris Yusuf Alfa- Baiwa International School, Minna
- 5th Position (Certificate and ₦10,000) – Hamza Hamza Kamar- Legend International School, Minna
- 6th Position (Certificate and ₦10,000) – Aliyu Muhammad- Legend International School, Minna
- 7th Position (Certificate and ₦10,000) – Naphtali Abraham- Beracah Academy, Minna
- 8th Position (Certificate and ₦10,000) – Ruth Iliya- Champions Learning Field Schools, Minna
- 9th Position (Certificate and ₦10,000) – Khadijah Iman Kolo- Mypa Schools, Minna
- 10th Position (Certificate and ₦10,000) – Joseph Goodness Okafor- The Redeemers High School, Minna
The 4th edition of the Minna Photography Contest proved to be an inspiring and transformative platform for emerging student photographers. With the Special Guest of Honour’s pledge to sponsor the next edition, HCAF looks forward to the 5th edition with higher participation and exemplary excellence nurtured in students across Minna and its environs. Minna Photography Contest is not just a platform that rewards young student artists for their excellence and mastery, but also showcases the beauty behind the stories of our people, Minna and the allure of its realms.
