You attend an event. You take a few photos, look great, and go about your day. Then, suddenly, you see your face on a flyer, advertisement, or social media page—without anyone asking for your permission.

So, is this legal?

In Nigeria, your image is more than “just a picture.” It forms part of your identity and personality, and the way it is used can raise important legal and privacy concerns.

The law recognizes the right to privacy, and this can extend to how personal images are used. Where your photograph is used in a manner that invades your privacy, misrepresents you, or creates a false impression about your association with something, you may have grounds to challenge its use.

This becomes particularly important when your image is used for commercial purposes.

For example, if a business uses your photograph in an advert, promotional material, or social media campaign without your consent, it may be benefiting from your identity without your approval. This can raise issues surrounding your right of publicity—the right to control the commercial use of your identity.But does this mean nobody can ever take or post your photograph? Not necessarily.

There are circumstances where photographs may be used without specific consent, such as photographs taken in public places, crowd shots where individuals are incidental, or images used for legitimate news or public-interest reporting.

The key question is often how the image is being used.

There is a significant difference between someone taking a photograph at a public event and a business using that same photograph to promote a product or service—or making it appear that you endorse a particular brand.

If your image is being used without your permission, you may consider requesting its immediate removal, sending a formal complaint or demand letter, or pursuing a claim for damages where appropriate.

Your image represents your identity. It should not automatically be treated as free material for anyone’s personal or commercial use.