The 2026 Abuja Photo Festival has named 63 artists to its selection list, and photographer Ibrahim Kareem holds one of those places. The announcement, reported by THISDAY, confirms his inclusion in what the report describes as a prestigious roster for next year's edition of the festival.

What do we know about the selection?

The core fact is simple. Sixty-three artists will show work at the 2026 festival. Kareem is one of them. The report frames the list as competitive and the selection as an honor for the Nigerian photographer.

The Abuja Photo Festival is a Nigerian photography event held in the capital city. Its selection list functions as the festival's programming backbone. Artists who make the list gain a platform to show their work to curators, editors, and the public in one of West Africa's key cultural centers.

That platform matters. Festivals of this kind often serve as career gateways. A place on the list can lead to gallery relationships, editorial commissions, and wider institutional visibility for photographers working on the continent.

Who is Ibrahim Kareem?

Kareem is a Nigerian photographer whose name now sits on the 2026 list. THISDAY's report presents the selection as a career milestone for him and as recognition of his standing in the field.

The report does not detail which series or images earned him the place. It also does not name the other 62 artists or the jury responsible for the selection. Those details will likely emerge as the festival publishes its full program closer to the event.

For now, the takeaway for readers is this: a Nigerian photographer has secured a national platform, and the festival has begun building its 2026 lineup around 63 selected artists.

Why does a festival list matter?

Selection lists are the mechanism behind festival programming. They decide whose work reaches an audience. In photography, where institutional support is uneven and funding is scarce in many regions, that gatekeeping role carries real weight.

The number itself tells a story. Sixty-three artists is a substantial roster. It suggests the festival intends a broad program rather than a tightly curated small show, and it signals ambition for the 2026 edition.

For photographers in Nigeria and West Africa, the festival offers something the region still lacks in reliable supply: a recurring, visible venue for lens-based work. Recognition at home can anchor a career before international markets take notice.

What happens next?

The festival will run in 2026 in Abuja. The full artist roster, exhibition schedule, and venue details remain to be announced. Kareem's inclusion is the first confirmed detail of a program that will take clearer shape as the opening approaches.