Brand influencers partner with brands to advertise their products or services through content marketing. Brand influencers review products, take photos or create videos of them using products, create unboxing videos, or even host giveaways for brands. They basically work for brands for a fee.
In Nigeria, the influencer industry is growing by leaps and bounds.
Why?
One-on-one recommendations are powerful means of advertising and because the people advertising have built some sort of followership and credibility, brands benefit immensely from influencers.
In this report, City People’s Contributing Editor, IYABO OYAWALE unveils 25 brand influencers we hardly talk about.
OCHE WRITES
A graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, Oche is notable on the LinkedIn platform, where he has over 98k followers. He’s a content marketer who works for reputable brands like SekiApp, PiggyVest, Utiva, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Sterling Bank, etc. He also trains upcoming content marketers. His content stands him out on the LinkedIn platform.
TAAOOMA
Greene Apaokagi Maryam, known professionally as Taaooma, makes comedy skits. She has 4.1 million followers on Instagram. Taaooma’s influence in Nigeria cannot be denied and brands are leveraging this to promote their products. She works for notable brands like Hypo, Malta Guinness, Fearless, MultiChoice, First Bank, etc.
One thing you cannot take away from Taaooma is her creativity. She effortlessly weaves adverts into her comedy skits, at the end of the day, they don’t look like adverts. She gets rewarded handsomely for her brand influencer jobs.
Aged 23, Taaooma graduated from the Kwara State University, Malete.
She has been nominated for several awards including The Future Awards Africa Prize for Content Creation and City People Music Award for Comedy Act of the Year.
CHINEDU JUNIOR IHEKWOABA
Chinedu has over 115k followers on LinkedIn. He’s a notable brand influencer who works for brands like ThinkCyber LTD, GeFitNg Technologies, Travvly, Nigeria Fintech Week, GB Projects Plc, etc.
His story-telling skill is top-notch. He weaves adverts into his stories and they look seamless.
Chinedu is a graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede. His LinkedIn content amasses 5 million views monthly.
PAMILERIN ADEGOKE
Also known as PamPam, Pamilerin recently won a Twitter Award. He’s a brand influencer of note. He’s especially popular on Twitter. A graduate of Marine Engineering from the University of Lagos, Pamilerin has worked with First Bank, Google, MultiChoice, Coca-Cola, Access Bank, and Universal Music.
Also known as “Omo Iya Ologi”, Pamilerin also served as PR professional for Nigerian artistes, Adekunle Gold and Korede Bello.
He used to work at Black House Media (founded by Ayeni Adekunle Samuel).
With over one million combined followers on his social media pages, Pamilerin regularly shares his taste in entertainment, fashion, food, travel, and tech which his community regularly engages with.
James Brown
James Chukwueze Obialor, popularly known as James Brown, is a Nigerian internet personality, dancer, and cross dresser who became popular in 2018 following a viral video in which he narrated how he was arrested by the police. He currently resides in the UK (where he’s schooling).
He recently bought himself a brand new Range Rover. He is currently verified on Instagram with 1.3 million followers.
ENIOLUWA ADEOLUWA
Enioluwa is a brand influencer who’s breaking boundaries. He graduated with a first-class at age 19 and won the National Prize for the best student director (NUTAF 2018) at age 18, making him the youngest recipient of this award.
He recently became Nigeria’s first ambassador for the Crocs brand. His brand also has partnerships with Fenty Beauty, MAC, and more. He also represents the pladis Global family with the Noreos Biscuit. He has 824k followers on Instagram.
Popularly known as the Lip Gloss Boy, Enioluwa is breaking glass ceilings for Nigerian men in the beauty industry.
NENGI
Nengi Rebecca Hampson became popular after participating in the Big Brother Naija show in 2020. Ever since the show ended, the Bayelsa State indigene’s profile has been on the rise.
She has 3.2 million followers on Instagram at the moment and influences for brands like Guinness, Remy Martin, Itel, and more. She also owns a shoe brand called Shoes by Flora.
DON JAZZY
The big boss at Mavin Records is known for his music deals but we want to talk about a side of him which many people don’t know. We’re talking about his brand influencer deals. He has 7.1 milion followers on Twitter and 14 million followers on Instagram. He leverages this huge network to advertise for brands like Vbank, Quidax Global, New Age, Loya Milk, Hantec Markets, and more.
PRISCILLA AJOKE OJO
Fondly called Priscy by her fans, Priscilla is 21 years old. She’s a brand influencer and daughter of popular Yoruba actress, Iyabo Ojo. She has 2.1 million followers on Instagram and influences for brands like Hegai and Esther Cosmetics, Cassie Hair, Tecno Mobile Nigeria, Cindy Total Weight Loss, Spedy Weightloss, etc. She also has her own clothing line and has featured in musical videos by Lil Kesh and Korede Bello.
QUEEN UDEH PRECIOUS CHIDERA
24-year-old Queen Udeh Precious Chidera is a multi-award winning fashion model and brand influencer. She is signed to Beth Model Africa and has graced so many runways. She has a total of 282k Instagram followers. Queen is a brand influencer and ambassador to hair, clothing, and cosmetic brands.
DIANA ENEJE
Diana is a fashion model and brand influencer. She is the beautiful damsel featured in DUMEBI video by REMA. She has 850k followers on Instagram. She has worked for several brands including Nice, Swarovski Nigeria, and Zaro.
TEMI YOUNG
Alongside Diana Eneje, Temi influences for the Swarovski Nigeria brand.
TENIOLA APATA
Teni is a Nigerian entertainer who’s famous for songs like ‘Billionaire’ and ‘Uyo Meyo’. Aside from her music, she influences for brands like Glo, Risevest, Samsung, Leky Mills, Pepsi, etc. She has 4.9 million followers on Instagram.
MICHELLE AIGBE GENTRY
21-year-old Michelle is the daughter of Mercy Aigbe and Lanre Gentry. She has 1.2 million followers on Instagram and influences for brands like Fashion Nova and others.
NIMIIE
21-year-old Ifeoluwanimi Ogunjebe, popularly known as Nimiie, is a Nigerian brand influencer and model. She has 259k followers on Instagram and came to prominence after emerging winner of the challenge organized by Rema in 2020. She has worked with top brands like Ixy Fashion, Foreo, Drey Closet, My Rocket App and many others.
PAPAYA EX
Raheem Abike Halimah is popularly known as Papaya Ex. She has 1 million followers on Instagram and works for brands like Zikel Cosmetics (N50 million endorsement deal), Rhiks Hair, Jumia, Bolt, etc. She recently bought a N100 million mansion ahead of her birthday in Lekki, Lagos.
TACHA
Big Brother Naija 2019 Housemate, Tacha has 3.6 million followers on Instagram and works for brands like OxfordBuildBay, GetFitNg, House of Lunettes, OPPO Mobile, Ciroc, etc.
MARAJI
Popularly known as Maraji, Gloria Oloruntobi is a Nigerian comedian. She has 1.3 million followers on Instagram and recently welcomed a baby boy. She is 25 years old.
FUNMI AWELEWA
Nigerian actress and comedian, Funmi Awelewa influences for brands such as: FiFi Bourbon Hair, Cassie Hair, Demmillionaire, sibganproperty, etc. She has 2 million followers on Instagram.
POCO LEE
Poco Lee is better known as a dancer and MC. He rose to prominence after featuring in Zlatan Ibile’s Zanku Legwork video in 2018. He has worked for brands like BBT Skincare, Neezerchain Bitcoins, Swoop Nigeria, etc. His real name is Iweh Pascal.
BRODA SHAGGI
Samuel Animashaun Perry, known professionally as Broda Shaggi, is a Nigerian comedian, actor, songwriter and musician. He has 10.9 million followers on Instagram and works for brands like NowNow, FairMoney, Shal’Artem, Revolution Plus Property, Sofri Digital Bank, etc.
KIE KIE
Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, popularly known as Kie Kie is a Nigerian comedian. She has 1.7 million followers on Instagram and works for brands like Hush’D Makeovers, Bowen University, etc.
ZICSALOMA
Aloma Isaac Junior is popularly known as Zicsaloma. He’s a comedian who has 1.3 million followers on Instagram. He influences for brands like Lekki Luxury Cars, Henod Luxury Homes, etc.
NOBLE IGWE
Noble Igwe is a Nigerian blogger, known for launching the entertainment platform 360 group along with Tonia Soares and Oye Akdeinde. He has 273k followers on Instagram.
APROKO DOCTOR
Aproko Doctor is on a mission to build a healthier Africa. He has 572k followers on Instagram and influences for brands like Aquafina, ZuriHealth, Roqqu, etc.
