Nigeria Takes Centre Stage at 2025 TikTok Awards Sub‑Saharan Africa
The 2025 TikTok Awards Sub‑Saharan Africa, held on December 6 in Johannesburg under the banner “New Era, New Icons,” turned into a triumphant night for Nigerian creators, with the country claiming the lion’s share of top honours.
Nigerian interest soared at the event, as creators from across the country took home six out of ten major awards — the most of any nation represented.
At the heart of Nigeria’s dominance was the award for Artist of the Year, claimed by rising Afrobeats star Shallipopi, whose track “Laho” has inspired viral challenges and resonated across the continent.
The song was cited as a cultural reset that captured the imagination of the TikTok community.
Beyond music, Nigeria’s strength spanned a variety of content genres. In the Creator of the Year category, Raja’atu Muhammed Ibrahim, known on TikTok as @diaryofanortherncook, was honoured for her food and cultural storytelling that blends Nigeria’s northern heritage with globally appealing visuals.
Other individual winners from Nigeria included Brian Nwana for Storyteller of the Year; Belove Olocha for Entertainment Creator of the Year; Izzi Boye as Education Creator of the Year; and Degoke Ogunbiyi for Social Impact Creator of the Year.
According to TikTok’s Sub‑Saharan Africa Head of Content Operations, the results reflect more than just popularity — they highlight the growing power of Nigerian content creation and the ability of its creators to influence culture across digital spaces.
“With Nigerian creators securing six of the 10 awards, we are honoured to celebrate their impact, especially as these victories were voted for by the TikTok community, who continue to champion the stories shaping culture,” she said.
The Awards night also featured entertainers from several African countries, giving recognition to diverse creators from Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania and beyond. But in a night marked by glitz and celebration, it was Nigeria that stood out — proving once more that the country is a powerhouse in African digital creativity.
As the curtains fell on the 2025 ceremony, one thing was clear: Nigeria’s youth-driven creative ecosystem, spanning music, storytelling, food, education, and social impact, is rapidly shaping digital culture — not just at home, but across Africa.
