LAGOS—Google has released its highly anticipated 2025 Year in Search report for Nigeria, providing a definitive snapshot of the events, issues, and individuals that captivated the nation’s attention throughout the year. The report reveals a compelling mix of politics and sports dominance, with two figures emerging as the most-searched Nigerian personalities: Senator Natasha Akpoti and professional footballer Eberechi Eze.
Politics Takes Center Stage
The emergence of Senator Natasha Akpoti as the #1 most-searched Nigerian personality underscores the central role of political discourse and public interest in national affairs throughout 2025. Her prominence reflects:
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Heightened Political Interest: Her search dominance highlights a year marked by intense scrutiny of governance, legislative decisions, and judicial processes, signaling a highly engaged populace following political developments closely.
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Media and Public Scrutiny: As a key figure in high-stakes political narratives, Akpoti’s consistent presence in the news cycle—whether related to legal battles, legislative debates, or public commentary—drove persistent search interest.
Football Fever Remains Unabated
Sharing the top rank of searched personalities is footballer Eberechi Eze, whose inclusion demonstrates Nigeria’s unwavering passion for international football and the diaspora’s impact on national pride.
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Premier League Performance: Eze’s consistent, high-level performance in the English Premier League and his visibility during international fixtures ensured he remained a constant source of search queries, as millions of Nigerians tracked his professional trajectory.
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National Team Speculation: Search interest often peaked during periods of speculation or announcements regarding the Nigerian national team, where players with dual eligibility or high club performance generate massive public debate.
Top Trends and Categories
The 2025 Year in Search report revealed other key trends shaping Nigeria’s digital consumption:
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Top Trending Searches: Major national issues, including debates over economic reform, and high-profile international events dominated the overall trending searches list.
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Top Trending Actors/Actresses: Showcased the rising global influence of Nollywood, with both established stars and viral sensations capturing public imagination.
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Top Trending Songs: Reflected the continued global dominance of Afrobeats, with local artists leading the charts and collaborations with international stars driving massive search volumes.
The data confirms that while Nigerians are heavily engaged in sports and entertainment, the political arena remains the single greatest driver of focused, sustained search queries throughout the year.
