In what is now the most anticipated moment in Africa’s digital calendar, Trendupp Africa, organisers of the continent’s first and pioneering award platform for influencers and content creators, have officially unveiled the nominees for the fifth edition of Trendupp Awards.
Now recognised as a Pan-African platform, Trendupp Awards celebrate and honour Influencers, Content Creators and Brands whose audacious, consistent, and creative use of social media continues to shape culture and drive conversations across the continent.
This year’s edition, themed “Still Explosive,” will honour 17 outstanding winners, selected from a pool of 104 exceptional nominees spanning diverse platforms, niches, and countries.
Speaking on the calibre of this year’s shortlist, Sam Onyemelukwe, a member of the 2025 Judging Council and Senior VP, Global Business Development at TRACE, shared:
“The quality of nominees this year is genuinely remarkable. Every creator and brand on the list embodies the pillars of influence we’re here to celebrate: creativity, consistency, and engagement. As a juror, I’ve witnessed firsthand the passion and originality these nominees bring to their craft. While only one winner will be named per category, being nominated already signals that your voice matters, your work is valued, and your impact is real. I’m excited to see the very best take the stage, because every nominee has already earned that spotlight.”
This year, Trendupp Awards received over 340,000 public nominations across 17 award categories. Following the nomination phase, six finalists have been shortlisted in each category, with the exception of the Emerging Force category, which features eight nominees and stands as the only voting category in the awards.
The Winner for each category will be decided by the distinguished 2025 panel of Jury composed of seasoned media professionals and cultural voices across Africa including Iyabo Ojo (Nigeria), Ameyaw Debrah (Ghana), Kelechi Amadi Obi (Nigeria), and others based on three key evaluation pillars: Creativity, Engagement, and Consistency.
Here is the full compilation of Trendupp Awards 2025 Nominees:
Force of Instagram: @diana_eneje, @opeyemifamakin, @uchemontana, @stannze, @nancyisimeofficial, @tomike_a
Force of Virality: @peller089 X @realjadrolita, @its.priscy, @veekee_james, @papaya_ex, @brainjotter, @egungun
Force of X (Twitter): @PoojaMedia, @_AsiwajuLerry, @it_Rutie, @_theladymo, @DanielRegha, @UnclePamilerin
Force of Lifestyle Content: @akinfaminu, @neo_akpofure, @chiomagoodhair, @_ola_of_lagos_, @nikos_babii, @liquorose
Force of Social Good: @king__mitchy, @tunde_onakoya, @asherkine, @aproko_doctor, @eric_gugua, @randypeterz
Force of Tech Content: @iamcypher, @izzi_boye, @misstechy, @kagantech, @fisayofosudo, @valorreviews
Force of The Pod: @btsrealityshow, @edenoasisrealty, @thehonestbunchpodcast, @isbae_u (Curiosity Made Me Ask), @withchude, @isaidwhatisaidpod
Force of YouTube: @StevenNdukwu, @RuthKadiri247, @bimboademoyetv, @OmoniOboliTv, @Nons_Miraj, @mauricesamtv
Force of Comedy Skits: @folagade_banks, @mrfunny1_, @taaooma, @_omo.oba_, @gilmooree, @iamdikeh
Force of Online Sensation: @kamo_state, @folagade_banks, @jay_onair, @chekwasmichaels, @shankcomics, @reginadaniels
Force of TikTok: @celynukam, @itsyaboymaina, @khloes_gram, @peller089, @purplespeedy, @crispdal
Force of Creative Arts: @r0dn3y__, @foladavid, @ibquake, @h_a_u_w_a, @theniyifagbemi, @glamour_artz
Force of Food Content: @diaryofakitchenlover, @opeyemifamakin, @ifys.kitchen, @tspices_kitchen, @hildabaci, @briannwana_
Emerging Force: [Powered by Sycamore] @jo_blaq02, @wanni_twinny & @handi_twinny, @samuel_banks21, @kidbaby101, @thetrenchboy, @jojooflele, @skinycomics, @Official_gheghe.
Force of Collaboration (Brands): @indrive.ng, @tecnomobileng, @flyairpeace, @bet9ja, @lushhairnigeria, @knorrnigeria
Force of Influence (Nigeria): @tunde_onakoya, @aproko_doctor, @enioluwaofficial, @kie_kie__, @veekee_james, @cubanachiefpriest
Force of Influence (Regional): @khosi_twala (South Africa), @zerobrainer0 (Tanzania), @hyperskidsfrica (Uganda), @mrghanababy (Ghana), @bouboudesign_ (Senegal), @the_roamingchef (Kenya)
For more information about the awards and the nominees, please visit www.trenduppawards.com or Trendupp’s social media platforms @thisistrendupp.
Trendupp Awards is an initiative of Trendupp Africa, a platform where creatives receive support and build direct relationships with their fans across Africa.
This fifth edition is presented by Trendupp Africa in association with DottsMediaHouse (Africa’s foremost media agency for leading brands across Africa). The award is proudly supported by Pepsi, Sycamore, Tramango, Trace TV, MTVBase, Africa Magic, POP Central TV, CoolFM, Brand Communicator, Ameyaw Debrah, TheCable, MediaRoomHub and BlackDrum TV.
