Ondo State — The Official Photographer to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Motunrayo Oyedele, has shared an inspiring story of resilience and determination, recounting how she overcame doubts and gender bias to earn respect in her role.
In a heartfelt post on her Facebook page on Monday, Oyedele reflected on the early challenges she faced when she was announced as the Governor’s Official Photographer — just a few months after her initial appointment as Special Assistant on Photography.
According to her, the appointment was met with skepticism from many quarters.
“She’s too young.”
“She can’t manage the Governor’s public photographs.”
“She just joined the system.”
“She’s a lady — where will she find the strength?”
Oyedele said the criticism left her in tears that day.
“I got home and broke down in tears. I kept asking myself, is it because I’m a lady? Because I look young? I prayed and told God, ‘You have to help me. I have the skill, but I’m being judged for how You created me,’” she wrote.
Despite her long work hours — often getting home around 11 p.m. or even 2 a.m. — Oyedele revealed she spent nights studying YouTube tutorials on documentary photography, composition, and editing.
“YouTube became my silent mentor,” she said. “Most nights, I slept off while learning. But I kept showing up, and my confidence grew.”
Her commitment soon changed public perception.
“It moved from ‘She can’t handle the Governor’s public photographs’ to ‘Make sure Motun is there,’” she recounted with pride.
Oyedele’s post, which has since drawn admiration and encouragement online, concluded with a powerful message to young people and professionals facing doubt.
“If they say you can’t do it, maybe it’s your cue to focus more on yourself and on that passion God has placed in your hands. Hard work is louder than doubt. It silences criticism, reshapes perception, and commands respect,” she wrote.
Motunrayo Oyedele currently serves as the Official Photographer to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, where she continues to make her mark in the male-dominated field of professional photography.
