Top 10 Nigerian Influencers

Across different social media platforms like Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube and X, Nigerian influencers have been able to make names for themselves, set trends that have the whole world following along and amass millions of engaged followers who are keen to consume their content and see them evolve over time. From cooking content to making music, acting out funny skits and reviewing beauty and fashion trends, Nigerian influencers certainly know how to explore their creativity and amuse their followers while using their platforms to promote their values and influence a broader audience. 

Due to the number of Nigerian influencers out there, you can sometimes feel overwhelmed wondering who to follow. You may find yourself feeling the need to discover new influencers who address topics that interest you. You may even want to connect with major influencers to stay up to date on the latest trends. 

If you’re a brand owner looking for unique influencers to collaborate with, an upcoming content creator looking for inspiration, or an active social media user looking for influencers to follow, then keep reading because this article is definitely for you! Here is a list of the top ten Nigerian influencers. 

1. Davido

Image Source: Billboard

David Adedeji Adeleke, known worldwide as Davido, was the first solo African artist to sell out tickets for his performance at the London O2 Arena way back in 2019. His song Fall topped the Billboard Charts as the longest afrobeat single. The Nigerian-American singer began his music career in 2011 and has since been signed to a music label through which he has released four studio albums and over a hundred singles. Davido is referred to as the ‘King of afrobeats’ due to his exceptional music, global influence and large fan base.

Social Media Handles

Instagram: davido (29.4 million followers) 

Tiktok: davido (7.5 million followers)

Youtube: DavidoOfficial  (4.3 million subscribers)

X: Davido  (16.3 million followers)

2. Olufunke Akindele

Image Source: TheBounce.Net

Funke Akindele popularly known as ‘Jenifa’ is without a doubt one of the top female Nigerian influencers. She is an enigmatic multiple award winning actress and movie producer. Her acting career started in 1998 when she starred in a show titled ‘I Need to Know’, addressing issues young people face. Her life took a huge turn when she played the lead role in the movie ‘Jenifa’ and soon went on to continue using this household name to create the adored television series ‘Jenifa’s Diary’. She has produced movies enjoyed by Nigerians and internationally recognized such as ‘A Tribe Called Judah’. Through her foundation– Jenifa’s foundation— she empowers youth interested in arts. 

Socials Media Handles

Instagram: funkejenifaakindele (16.4 million followers)

Tiktok: funkeakindele (5.9 million followers)

Youtube: Funke Akindele (170 thousand subscribers)

X: funkeakindele (1.5 million followers)

3. Josh2Funny

Image Source: Graphic Online 

Chibuike Josh Alfred, Josh2Funny, is a popular Nigerian comedian and actor who rose to fame in 2016 by embodying the role of a traditional Nigerian woman named ‘Mama Felicia’ who sang popular songs from a hymn book. He produces skits and hilarious videos, one of which is ‘The Audition’ where each episode he displays a new set of comical talents to a panel of judges. Josh is a trend setter who took the world by storm with trends like ‘Don't leave me’ challenge, ‘Think about it’ and the ‘All my guys are ballers’ trends. In 2023 Josh2Funny made an appearance on America’s Got Talent where surprisingly enough he was able to wow the toughest judge, Simon Cowel, and even got him to admit that he thought Josh was funny. 

Socials Media Handles

Instagram: josh2funny  (3.1 million followers)

Tiktok:  realjosh2funny (3.1 million followers)

Youtube:  Josh2Funny Ent. (801 thousand subscribers)

X: Josh Alfred (69.3 thousand followers)

4. Toke Makinwa

Image Source: Showmax stories 

Toke Makinwa is another top Nigerian female influencer. In the early stages of career, she worked as a radio personality, hosting a show on 93.1FM. In 2012 she started her Youtube vlog series ‘Toke Moments’ which is still a huge hit. In each video brings guests from diverse backgrounds to talk on trendy and educational topics like dating, career, among others. She hosted the Nigerian television survival show ‘Gulder ultimate search’. Toke is also an author, her book On Becoming: a must tell was released in 2016 and continues to be a favorite of many. 

Socials Media Handles

Instagram: tokemakinwa  (5.6 million)

Tiktok: tokemakinwa (828.7 thousand followers)

Youtube:  Toke Moments (160 thousand subscribers)

X: Toke Makinwa (1.2 million followers) 

5. Tunde Onakoya

Image Source: AClasses Media

If you are a supporter of development and making an impact then you need to follow this chess grandmaster. Tunde Onakoya captivated the world with his Non-Profit Organization, Chess in Slums. Since 2017, Tunde, the Nigerian chess master and coach, has been using his organization to teach disadvantaged youth living in slums how to play chess. This initiative has been able to provide less privileged children with various opportunities to become worldwide sensations. On his social media, he shares his journey as a chess master, playing against other renowned chess masters globally, while also showcasing the progress of those he's helped along the way.

Socials Media Handles

Instagram: tunde_onakoya (614 thousand followers)

Tiktok:  tunde_onakoya (7,796 followers)

X: Tunde Onakoya (398.9 thousand followers) 

6. Hilda Baci

Image Source: Punch Newspapers 

Food lovers are sure to love Hilda Effiong Bassey. She is a Nigerian chef who rose to international fame on May 15th 2023 when she broke the guiness world book record for the longest cooking marathon. She cooked for 93 hours and 11 minutes (four days!). She has always been a lover of food and cooking. Her passion started out with her cooking for her friends and family and sharing her videos on social media. On her youtube channel she uploads her recipes for various dishes as well as lifestyle content. 

Socials Media Handles

Instagram: Hilda Baci (3 million followers)

Tiktok:  hildabaci (1.8 million followers)

Youtube: Hilda Baci  (54.8 thousand subscribers)

X: Hilda Baci (171.7 thousand followers) 

7.  Eni

Image Source: Content Nigeria 

Eniolaoluwa Prince Adeoluwa is a leading male influencer in Nigeria. He went viral in 2020 when he uploaded a video of himself wearing a durag, putting on lipgloss while talking. This earned him the name ‘lipgloss boy’. His social media accounts show his love for fashion and beauty. He is the first Nigerian to have a brand partnership with Crocs footwear. Eni isn’t all about chats and fashion. At the age of 18 he won the National Prize for best student director (NUTAF 2018). At 19 he graduated university with a bachelors and at 21 he went on to do his masters. He is currently a Phd student and an EU-Africa Ambassador. He is the executive producer of  a show titled ‘ All of Us’ featuring other Nigerian influencers such as Susan Pwajok, Priscilla Ojo among others.

Socials Media Handles

Instagram: enioluwaofficial (2.6 million followers)

Tiktok: enioluwa (2.8 million followers)

Youtube: Eni Adeoluwa (61.6 thousand subscribers) 

X: Eni Adeoluwa (297.2 thousand followers)

8. Maraji

Image Source: The Christian Science Monitor 

Gloria Oloruntobi is a famous Nigerian comedian known for her hilarious skits on social media where she plays several roles ranging from a Nigerian mother or father or child going through relatable Nigerian household struggles. She uses her humor to address topics like dating, societal practices norms and everyday life situations.

Socials Media Handles

Instagram: maraji_ (1.5 million followers) 

Tiktok: maraji (350.9 thousand followers) 

Youtube: Maraji’s World (568 thousand subscribers) 

X: Gloria Olorunto (133.5 thousand followers) 

9.  Aproko Doctor

Image Source: Businessday

Dr Chinonso Egemba uses his background as a student of medicine to address widely asked questions as it relates to health while also spread awareness and teaching social media users about different medical conditions. Aproko Doctor makes it easy for you as a watcher of his content to receive medical advice at the tips of your fingers! He delivers information on health related issues in a comedic way that entertains and educates at the same time. 

Socials Media Handles

Instagram: aproko_doctor (2 million followers) 

Tiktok: aprokodoctor (2 million followers)

Youtube: Aproko Doctor TV (274 thousand subscribers)

X: Dr. Chinonso Egemba (2.3 million followers) 

10. Layi Ayomide Wasabi 

Image Source: Maddyness

Isaac Olayiwola, popularly known as Layi Wasabi, is a Nigerian comedian who won the award for Best Content Creator in 2024 at the Africa Magic’s viewers choice awards. Using his background as a law student, his skit making journey started in 2017 where he would create comical videos centered around a lawyer, nicknamed ‘the law’ who handles relatable legal challenges faced by Nigerians. Layi Wasabi is also an actor who has featured in fan favorite movies such as ‘Anikulapo’ and ‘Adire’. 

Socials Media Handles

Instagram: layiwasabi (2.3 million followers)

Tiktok: layiwasabi (816.3 thousand followers)

Youtube: Layi Wasabi (60 thousand subscribers) 

X: Mr. Láyí (386.7 thousand followers) 

These top ten Nigerian influencers don’t just make videos for the mere fun of it. Through their content they’ve been able to set trends, serve as ambassadors to major brands and organizations and use their voices to influence change among large numbers of people. 

Each of these Nigerian influencers are unique. Whether you’re watching a video of Eni ranting while putting on lipgloss, Hilda Baci cooking smoky Nigerian jollof rice or Josh2Funny singing a Bollywood song at an audition, you’re sure to never get bored! 

Go ahead and engage with one of these influencers today on any of their social media platforms! Feel free to share your thoughts on which of them you resonate the most with.