Have you been trying to sell your products and services through ads but not been getting results? Maybe you’re just launching, and you’re thinking of the best way to sell your products and services to your target audience? Have you heard of influencer marketing?
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What is Influencer Marketing?
It used to just be about celebrities – mostly the actors and musical artists. They come on our TV and radios telling you (directly or subtly) how they used a product and believe it’s the “best in the world”. They then go ahead to encourage you (their fans) to go use the same product to enjoy what they enjoy.
The advertisement world has a name for it – endorsement. It worked and still works like magic.
Peak Milk did it with Kanu Nwankwo, and we all still remember Papilo till date.
MTN and Glo are notorious for it today. Most Nigerian artists are either Glo or MTN brand ambassadors (another name for endorsement).
But things have changed slightly though. Unlike before, when influencer marketing was only reserved for mainstream celebrities, social media (being a leveller), has made celebrities out of some people who have now become Twitter influencers in Nigeria. And judging by the trends today, you may also need them if you need to break into the Nigerian market online.
Suggested: 100 days of Twitter ban: Small businesses collapse, others struggle
Niche and Influencer Marketing
Think about this – how will you feel if you put on your TV and you see 2Face, Wizkid or Davido endorsing a contraceptive brand? I mean, if you know these three guys very well, you’d know they are no fans of contraceptives. So, such endorsement will most likely not drive sales – it will just be hilarious, and that’s it.
The same applies to influencer marketing on social media. These guys have (or should have different niches) and that should make them ideal for certain brands within that niche.
Every ardent twitter user knows Aproko Doctor (he is definitely making the list). He is one of those who have a well carved out niche which health and medicine. Now, to reach a broad audience on a health-related product, Aproko is one of the go-to persons.
Meet the top 5 Nigerian Twitter Influencers
There are Influencers, and there are wannabe Influencers. Basically, there are levels to this game. Here are the top 5 twitter influencers in Nigeria in 2020. I compiled this list based on their popularity, savviness, humour, activeness, mentions, followership (and controversy).
1. Pamilerin Adegoke (@UnclePamilerin)
Image Source: Twitter
I personally got to know him after someone dragged him for being “omo iya ologi” i.e. his mum sells pap. Pamilerin turned around the situation to sell his mum and of course himself. The result of that is…
Genius right?
Pamilerin is one of the most known voices on Twitter. He manages to get himself in one controversy or the other every once in a while. The one with Peruzzi will not be forgotten though as it’s still the only one that came with a souvenir (Pamilerin was gifted a slap).
He clearly has worked with countless small businesses in Nigeria, but some of the big brands he’s worked with include Pepsi, Adekunle Gold, Coca Cola, Airtel, Glo, and the list goes on.
2. Mazi Ibe (@MaziIbe_)
Image Source: Twitter
Meet one of the two married men on the list. Mazi Ibe is another big name on Twitter that you may have to take permission from before you start using Twitter. Kidding, but there is no denying that Mazi is highly influential on Jack’s Twitter.
A die-hard Arsenal fan, husband and father. He has his own media house which he called Ipissmedia (seriously?)
Like Pamilerin, he has worked with several local and international brands. He is the brand ambassador of Lotto9ja.
Hmmm, does Mazi have a defined niche? I don’t think so. He is literally everywhere. Entertainment, sport, lifestyle, politics… just name it.
3. Aproko Doctor (@aproko_doctor)
Image Source: Twitter
Arguably the least controversial of them all, and also one with the most well-defined niche. Nonso, known widely on Twitter as Aproko Doctor is an aproko on everything health, nutrition, diet and medicine.
Corona Virus lockdown notwithstanding, he recently got married to his heartthrob (who he met on twitter), Amaka.
Aproko Doctor is the go-to guy for promoting health and nutrition brands because when he speaks on this topic, people listen.
4. Aunty Ada (@AuntyAdaa)
Image Source: Twitter
With over 253k followers and counting, Aunty Ada is one of the biggest names on Twitter Nigeria. And somehow she is the only lady on this, laudable feat considering how male-dominated the industry is.
Many small businesses have used her influence to enter the “Twitter street”. MTN, Big Brother Naija and a host of others.
She is in a publicised relationship with another twitter influencer and doctor, Ejikem (who is using her picture as his avatar on twitter).
I didn’t say anything about the looks of others on the list so I’m just going to resist the urge to say she is beautiful.
5. Four Eyed Edo Boy (@Alex_Houseof308)
Image Source: Twitter
He is from Edo, and his wittiness and creativity are out of this world. Is Alex a wizard? Lol
Using his creativity, Alex helps brands gain visibility and engagement on Twitter.
You can bet he is a ghostwriter too. I mean, twitter character limit won’t let him express himself as much as he wants.
He is an expert in managing social media channels on a large scale. One more thing that stands him out from the rest is the fact he engages with his followers a lot. In other words, he replies and retweets a lot of replies to his tweets.
Controversy? Nah, none that I know off. Just that his account was recently banned by Jack and his people at Twitter HQ.
Conclusion
This list was not compiled in a particular order so dead that agenda.
The aim of this write up is to help you see the potential opportunity to reach more Nigerians on Twitter using influencer marketing.
The above-listed guys are, in my opinion, are the 5 biggest influencers on Twitter Nigeria at the time of writing this. You don’t quite agree? Leave a comment.
Meanwhile, here are some other influencers I would have included if I had more space
- Dreylo
- Danny Walter
- Valking
- Volqx
- Mbah
- Motaraa
- Royz
- Chemical Brother
