Jonathan Adagogo Green: Nigeria's Pioneer Photographer

Jonathan Adagogo Green, born in 1873 in Ayama (now Peterside in Bonny), was Nigeria’s first professional photographer. He belonged to the Ibani (Ijaw) ethnic group and grew up during significant political and economic changes in the Niger Delta.

After his father's death in 1875, he was raised by his uncle, Uruasi Dublin Green, who influenced his education. Green received Western-style education in Lagos and possibly Sierra Leone, where he trained in photography.

At 18, he established a professional photography studio in Bonny in 1891. His work spanned Bonny, Opobo, Brass, and Calabar, where he gained recognition for capturing images of Nigerian chiefs, British colonial officers, and everyday life.

Green's photographs serve as some of the earliest visual records of Southern Nigeria, showcasing a unique African perspective during a time dominated by European colonial narratives.