Renowned undercover reporter and founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), ‘Fisayo Soyombo, is launching a photographic showcase based on his harrowing three-part reportage, ‘UNDERCOVER: Europe Through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea.’
The project draws from the grim reality unfolding in places like Agadez, a desolate hub in northern Niger. There, heavily loaded vehicles packed with vulnerable travelers routinely depart, braving the scorching arid expanse toward Libya. Many undertake this grueling trip across the Sahara with dreams of crossing Mediterranean waters to reach European shores, especially Italy.
Immersing himself fully into this reality, Soyombo traversed the route for 47 days. His trek began in Kano, Nigeria, passing through infamous smuggling routes in Niger—such as Zinder, Agadez, and Dirkou—before reaching Libyan territories including al-Qatrun, Sabha, and the capital, Tripoli.
His findings capture the horrific conditions migrants endure: rampant fatalities, severe malnutrition, sexual violence, severe psychological distress, beatings, kidnappings, brutality, and forced labor. Travelers from nations such as Nigeria, Niger, Ghana, Eritrea, Somalia, and South Sudan face systemic cruelty at the hands of human smugglers.
Soyombo’s visual compilation, dubbed ‘Desserts from the Desert’, is scheduled to tour domestically and across international borders to highlight realities that writing alone cannot fully convey.
The initial display takes place in Lagos at Alliance Française, starting Monday, October 26, with an invitation-only reception from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The gallery will welcome the general public free of charge throughout the entire day on Tuesday, October 27, and Wednesday, October 28.
The exhibition then heads to Abuja, launching with a private reception on Tuesday, November 24, followed by two days of unrestricted public viewing on November 25 and 26.
Following the domestic dates, organizers plan to pause before touring globally. Discussions are actively underway to present the showcase in California, Washington, D.C., and Vienna, aiming to bring greater global awareness to the unfolding humanitarian crisis in North Africa’s desert corridors.
