Bolaji Alonge

Bolaji Alonge (born in 1977 in Lagos, Nigeria) is a Nigerian artist, international photographer, actor and journalist from Lagos, Nigeria. Also known as Eyes of a Lagos Boy, with more than a decade of experience in documenting history, looking for beauty where it is least expected.

Bolaji Alonge was born in 1977. His father passed on his passion for photography to Bolaji, who spent time with him taking and developing images as a child. After high school, he studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos in the rowdy nineties, while exploring his acting skills at the Theatre 15 UNILAG. Ever since he has acted in a range of theatre, television and movie projects.

I encourage young Africans to take up the camera and document history – those memories that make up the fabric of existence. To move forward we have to know where we come from. I do it by searching for unique shots, that become integrated in the mood boards of our lives.

In May 2017, Bolaji organized his "Eyes of a Lagos Boy" photo exhibition at Freedom Park in Lagos. His second solo exhibition "Urban Culture – Historical Continuity" was held at One Draw Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos in November 2018. In February 2019, Bolaji showcased his work at Baza Studio in New York. A third solo exhibition, "Black & White" was held at Quintessence, Lagos in July 2019. He presented "Afrobeat: The Legacy” at Freedom Park in Lagos during Felabration 2019, dedicated to Femi Anikulapo-Kuti, Fela Kuti's eldest son and strongest proponent of Afrobeat.

On 24 November 2018, Bolaji married his Belgian fiancé Sandra Vermuyten in a civil ceremony at the Registry of Victoria Island, Lagos. Guests from all over the world got to the reception in a cavalcade of twenty tricycles. The photos of the wedding went viral.

Bolaji Alonge joined Music in Africa as the Regional Editor for West Africa in August 2019. Music In Africa is the largest resource for information and exchange in and for the African music sector.