General
Things to Know Before Establishing Photography Business
By Adedapo Adesanya
Starting a photography business is a risky but it is a very profitable venture. However, it is very important to understand some of the key things before deciding what you want or how you want the business to be structured.
Like any business, the practitioner must have a deep interest for the profession. An inherent interest in the creative process of taking photographs will help in the overall success of the business.
In this part of the world, photography is mostly learned through apprenticeship by gaining experience from an established professional to know the rudiments of the game. After completion of the informal training, the next step is always to set up a studio, which involves capital.
Capital is the money used to start the business. In this case, the funds to get the necessary equipment would be put into consideration when planning to establish a photo studio.
Other fixed costs to consider would include rent (if the photographer chooses to get a studio) and other miscellaneous items. According to some practitioners who spoke with Business Post during a research into this topic, a new photographer who wants a standard studio can start with a budget of N3.5 million. However, you can start with a lower budget of about N500,000 to N1 million, depending on the tools and cost of rent.
Now the breakdown of this budget
Equipment and Estimated Costs
Photography is an expensive business because it involves a lot of technological hardware and software which are costly. Equipment comes in two varieties; hardware (physical) and software. Some of the major hardware components need in photography are:
Two cameras: From N150,000 to N1.5 million or more.
Multiple lenses: Prices range from N40,000 to N350,000.
Two flashes: N15,000 to N100,000 each.
Multiple memory cards: From N2,000 to N15,000 each
Two external hard drives: From N10,000 to N45,000 or more, depending on the size (it is advisable to keep one backup off-site)
Computer or laptop with sufficient memory: From N75,000 to N720,000, depending on the type, size, quality and make.
A studio: The cost of renting a place for studio solely depends on location and the size. The studio has to be painted to make it attractive to customers. Also, the necessary lightening tools have to be put in place like the LED lights & Strobes, tripod stand, wireless triggers, props, prime lenses, zoom lenses, Photoflex reflector.
For the Software: This includes Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paintshop, PortraitPro, GIMP amongst others.
Note: These are not all software for photography and are subject to the preference and versatility of the photographer. They can be purchased from computer stores.
Some Business Opportunities in Photography
Photographers can find employment in a number of places. Either as a self-employed individual or an organisation attachment. The creative outlet is needed mostly in every human endeavour, including at
Ceremonies: weddings, anniversaries, and celebrations.
Stock photography.
Contract photography.
Commercial photography.
Media photography.
Celebrity photography/Paparazzi.
Possible Challenges to face in the Photography Business:
Like a host of other businesses, here are likely challenges that a would-be photographer could face:
Funds – This is regarded as the biggest challenge to the business of photography, new models of equipment are released regularly and with this comes a high cost. With a constant supply of income, a photography business will thrive.
Clients – Photography is a competitive business. Finding clients to patronise the establishment may be a challenge. Even when the photographer finds one, some are likely not to pay for services offered.
Competition – There are a lot of photographers. It is then crucial to build a network of people which services are rendered effectively and efficiently.
Infrastructure Deficiency – Electricity, among other basic infrastructural necessities, is sometimes lacking and this poses a great challenged to a digitally driven business such as photography.
Finally, it is advisable for the photographer to register the business. This is done by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria. Whether it is a remote or established business, it is very important. This allows the business open a bank account and file tax returns plus other benefits.
There are some persons in Nigeria who have become icon in the photography business, including TY Bello (former President Goodluck Jonathan photographer), Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Bayo Omoboriowo (President Muhammadu Buhari photographer), amongst others.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death of Miss Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The demise of the deceased, which occurred in late June, recently became public and has sparked calls for a probe from many quarters.
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has approached the court to stop the autopsy, but experts tell Business Post that the family has no authority to file an affidavit, as this is a case of suspected murder against the state and not the family.
Mr Umahi has also called for a probe.
The Ebonyi Police Command said the autopsy was necessary to establish the cause of death and support its ongoing investigation, despite objections from the deceased’s family.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, stating that the police had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Habila’s death.
Mr Ukandu said preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she later died in a room within the compound of his residence.
According to him, detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) have visited the scene, documented relevant evidence and obtained statements from persons connected to the incident.
He added that the command had concluded arrangements to engage a qualified pathologist to carry out a post-mortem examination, which it considers crucial to determining the actual cause of death.
Mr Ukandu explained that the police became involved in the matter after receiving a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ohaozara Division, informing the command of a medical emergency involving Habila and requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
“On arrival, the DPO was informed by hospital authorities that Miss Mary Habila had been brought in dead.
He immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson disclosed that while the family of the deceased had opposed the conduct of an autopsy, the command considered the procedure necessary in view of the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The Command therefore awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination,” Mr Ukandu said, assuring the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, transparently and without bias, stressing that every necessary step would be taken to uncover the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.
Mr Ukandu further assured that the command would continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
Family Seeks to Stop Autopsy
The family of the deceased, who is a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works, formally requested the withdrawal of further investigation into her death and declined an autopsy.
In an affidavit titled Affidavit of Withdrawal of Case filed before the High Court of Justice of Ebonyi State, her father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, said the family was not alleging any foul play in her death and wished to proceed with her burial.
According to the affidavit, Mary Habila died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The deponent stated that before her death, Habila was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, where she served in the Office of the Minister of Works for about three years.
By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of billions of Naira worth of assets linked to businesswoman and socialite, Ms Aisha Achimugu, to the federal government.
Justice Jude Onwugbuzie granted the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), directing the permanent forfeiture of jewellery valued at N4.645 billion, 11 exotic vehicles worth N4.293 billion, $50,000 and N30 million in cash.
The ruling followed the EFCC’s request for the final forfeiture of the assets, which the commission said were linked to Ms Achimugu.
The forfeited assets include: Jewellery valued at N4,645,170,294.90; 11 exotic vehicles worth N4,293,000,000; $50,000 in cash; and N30,000,000 in cash.
The court’s judgment vests ownership of the assets in the federal government, bringing the forfeiture proceedings to a close.
In March, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to the Lagos socialite. However, in an interview in April, she denied that $13 million was discovered by the EFCC in her residence, describing the claim as inaccurate and misleading.
Justice Nwite had, on August 22, 2025, granted the anti-graft agency’s motion ex parte for an interim order forfeiting the sum of $13 million linked to Oceangate Ltd to the federal government over allegations that the fund was proceeds of unlawful activity.
The judge had then directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested people to show cause within 14 days why the fund should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
In 2024, the businesswoman gained significant media attention for a seven-day birthday celebration in Grenada, which was attended by high-profile guests, reportedly including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The socialite also defended her widely publicised birthday celebration, noting that it had been “planned for 10 years” and was not funded with any money under investigation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
To boost fertiliser production, strengthen food security and advance Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has signed a 16-year Gas Sale Agreement (GSA) with Indorama Fertiliser FZE for the supply of up to 60 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day from the Assa North Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Processing Facility.
The agreement was signed by the chief executive of Renaissance, Mr Tony Attah, and Indorama’s counterpart, Mr Manish Mundra, with both executives describing the deal as a significant milestone in advancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, industrial development, and agricultural growth aspirations.
“This agreement reflects our commitment to unlocking the value of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources through partnerships that create real and lasting impact,” Mr Attah said, adding: “By supplying natural gas to a major fertiliser producer such as Indorama, we are supporting a value chain that is critical to food security, agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and economic development.”
The agreement will provide Indorama Fertiliser with a secure and reliable source of natural gas to support uninterrupted production and enable the company to meet growing domestic and regional demand for fertiliser products.
The resulting increase in fertiliser availability is expected to contribute to improved crop yields, enhanced agricultural productivity, and strengthened food security across Nigeria and Africa.
Commenting on the agreement, Mr Mundra said the deal was an important milestone for the company in its ambition of supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“Reliable access to natural gas is fundamental to fertiliser production, and this long-term arrangement provides a strong foundation for sustainable operations and future growth,” Mr Mundra said. “We appreciate the partnership with Renaissance and look forward to leveraging this collaboration.”
The transaction aligns closely with Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative and further demonstrates the strategic role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, supporting manufacturing, enhancing energy security, and enabling economic diversification.
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