From Buhari to ‘Nepo Baby’: What Nigerians Googled the Most in 2025

Google’s 2025 Year in Search data shows that Nigerians spent the year searching for a blend of politics, pop culture, tech, sports, and viral internet language, reflecting a country equally tuned to serious national moments and everyday online trends.

According to Google, the rankings are based on search queries that recorded the sharpest rise in interest compared with 2024, offering insight into what captured Nigerians’ attention over the year.

Politics, global conflicts, and major news events led the surge. Searches spiked around the World Cup, the reported deaths of Diogo Jota and former president Muhammadu Buhari, and the Israel–Iran conflict. International figures such as Pope Francis and Hulk Hogan, alongside Nigerian senator Natasha Akpoti, also featured prominently in trending searches.

Tech curiosity remained strong throughout the year, driven by interest in the iPhone 17 and budget smartphones like the Tecno Pop 10 and Infinix Note 50 Pro, highlighting Nigerians’ growing engagement with both premium and affordable devices.

At home, Nigerians showed intense interest in local personalities across politics, entertainment, and social media. Natasha Akpoti emerged as the most searched Nigerian figure, followed by names such as Siminalayi Fubara, Chika Ike, Mr Eazi, Kemi Adetiba, Hilda Baci, VeryDarkMan, and Priscilla Ojo.

BEYOND NIGERIA

Search interest also extended well beyond Nigeria’s borders. Global figures from football, film, and business, including Viktor Gyökeres, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyler Perry, Larry Ellison, Teyana Taylor, and Paul Biya, trended among Nigerian users, with footballers dominating sports-related searches.

Beyond people and headlines, Nigerians turned to Google to decode viral culture. Searches for the meanings of words such as “nepo baby,” “allegedly,” “demure,” “Ozempic,” “labubu,” and “Achalugo” surged, reflecting how internet slang and social media conversations shaped online curiosity.

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Food and lifestyle searches also gained traction, influenced largely by social media trends. Popular queries included pornstar martini, ginger shots, chinchin, sausage rolls, hummus, and asun rice.

Music, films, and television rounded out the year’s top interests. Nigerians searched heavily for songs like “With You” by Davido featuring Omah Lay and “Laho” by Shallipopi, alongside international and local titles such as “Squid Game,” “Wednesday” season two, and “Final Destination.”

Overall, Google said the 2025 Year in Search highlights how Nigerians navigate a fast-moving world, tracking major political and global events while still leaning into entertainment, food, and internet culture for connection and escape.