Meet the Modern Day Cindrella of Lagos: Olajumoke Orisaguna

Nigerian breadseller Olajumoke Orisaguna’s story was all about being in the right place at the right time – photobombing a fashion shoot with Tinie Tempah. What began as an accidental stroll into the frame of an international star’s shoot with one of the top Nigerian photographers has ended up a fast journey to stardom for Olajumoke, a rising star and a household name, so much so that she has already appeared on CNN only weeks after her discovery.

It all began when Olajumoke accidentally stepped on the set of a photo shoot with Tinie Tempah for one of Nigeria’s top selling weeklies, ThisDay Style, and effortlessly stole the show. The final image was so striking that TY Bello decided to include it in the final selection and soon enough people started asking Bello who the model was. And that’s how the photographer’s search for the mystery girl began.

BEATIFULX : WHO IS SHE.Every one has been asking if this lady is a model .. It was just perfect coincidence … She just happened to be walking by while I photographed . It happened so fast .She definitely SHOULD be a model. .. I’m happy to help her build a portfolio if she’s interested .She’s so beautiful and photographed so well. I’ll find a way to track her down somehow . You guys can also help #lagos #doesanyonerecognizeher #okunorentwins #tinietempah @thisdaystyle #lagos #phaseone

A photo posted by TY Bello (@tybello) on Jan 31, 2016 at 12:22pm PST

Soon after, all hands on deck, the mystery girl was discovered, and TY Bello once again took to her Instagram to reveal her identity and share her story.  

So I found her …our beauty from the @tiniegram shoot and boy have I got a fantastic story to share with you all. Right here is an amazing 27yr old mother of two , Jumoke Sunday with an incredible life story .I called on three amazing artists @bimpeonakoya for beautiful makeup .. @zubbydefinition for hair and @emaedosio to make a short documentary about her .. Every one gave a yes !on the spot . They were all at the studio within an hour and we had the most amazing shoot with her. I’ve also spoken to a few people about the best way to help move her forward and reunite her with her family . … The process has already begone and I’ll figure out the best way to have anyone who wants to be part of the journey .Meeting and photographing her has inspired us all and we can’t wait for the good that will come to her from all of this to unfold . She doesn’t speak English well but here ,she was explaining how she found us . I had sent an assistant , as many of you advised ,to leave a message with the people in the area where we photographed her… So here she is .. #Olajumoke #tybellophotography #findingjumoke #thebeginning A video posted by TY Bello (@tybello) on Feb 3, 2016 at 7:00am PST

What came after was simply fairytale-like. Thanks to her new mentor, Bello, Olajumoke not aced the next cover of ThisDay Style but also a modelling contract, a scholarship to complete her education, trust funds for her children,her two children, aged five and one, courtesy of Stanbic IBTC and a contract as the face of online shopping brand Payporte.

We presented a lasting gift, Educational Trust Fund to Mrs Olajumoke Orisaguna’s children. Presentation was held today at Stanbic IBTC headquarters, Walter Carrington, Victoria Island, Lagos. Present at today’s presentation are Ame Okwudi, Event and CSI Manager; T.Y Bello, Popular Nigerian Photographer; Binta Max-Gbinijie, Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Trustees; Olajumoke Orisaguna; Angela Omodare, Country Head, Legal; Sunday Orisaguna.

A photo posted by Stanbic IBTC (@stanbicibtc) on Feb 18, 2016 at 9:32am PST

The street hawker turned model who has already appeared in lookbooks for Nigerian designers Layo G and April by Kunbi recently spoke to CNN.

“I never expected this would ever happen to me,” said Olajumoke, “My friends have told me they saw me on the TV and they are really happy. My parents cannot believe their own child can become such a success. They are all so happy.”