For Nigerians, the first half of 2022 has undoubtedly been interesting. Nigerian internet users searched Google for information on anything from political unrest and the run-up to the 2023 elections to high-profile deaths, athletic events, blockbuster movies and TV shows, Nollywood stars, artists, and songs that quickly gained popularity.
Peter Obi
For most Nigerians, the prevailing economic conditions in the country have resulted in them being overly interested in the leadership affairs of the country, and those that have decided to take charge of its leadership in the next years.
It is no wonder that Peter Obi– a foremost Nigerian businessman and politician who served as the Governor of Anambra State for two terms from 2006 to 2014- has become one of the top three trending people in Nigeria in the first half of the year. Peter Obi is the Labour Party nominee for President of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential election.
Related story: Oniru Beach, University of Ibadan, Kalakuta dominate Google searches in the past year
Putin and slaps
He is joined on the list by Russian President, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, whose emergence on the list is owing to the unending Russia-Ukraine war. Other interesting entries on the list include Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of the late Biafran leader, Chukuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu completes the top three search entries by Nigerians.
Mrs Ojukwu returned to prominence when she slapped Ebelechukwu, the wife of immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano at the swearing-in ceremony of the incumbent governor, Charles Soludo.
Another interesting search entry is another famous slap. The popular video of Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars in March is listed as number 5 on the top search entries list.
AFCON
The fact that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2022) top the list of most searched moments between January and June was not surprising given that football is undoubtedly a unifier and a passionate interest for Africans.
The competition saw two of Africa’s best footballers, Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah, go head-to-head in the finals between Senegal and Egypt, which Senegal won to claim the title of the tournament.
It was a disastrous ending for the Nigerian Super Eagles, whose campaign had begun with such excitement for Nigerians.
Others
The ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that has seen the majority of Nigerian students in public tertiary institutions stay out of classes for five months is also a top moment that captured the interest of Nigerians online.
Top of the list of notable deaths in the death of popular Nigerian Gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, who was allegedly killed by her husband in a case of domestic violence. The death of another gospel singer, Chinedu Nwadike, was the second most searched death for Nigerians on Google.
The song, Buga, by Kizz Daniel and Tekno is the number one trending song in the period under review.
Other entertainment favourites include Blood sisters, a Nigerian series on Netflix starring Nancy Isime and Ini Dima-Okojie tops the list of trending movies searched by Nigerians on Google from January to June 2022.
Read also: Match Group vs Google: What happens to users?
Another is favourite entry is foremost veteran Nollywood actor, Olu Jacobs who recently celebrated his eightieth birthday. He leads the list of top trending actors in Nigeria, While, Raheem Sterling’s journey from Manchester City to Chelsea FC led him to be the number one trending sports entry in Nigeria.
Below is the full list of top trending searches on Google for the first half of 2022:
| Top trending people by Nigerians from January to June 2022 | Top trending moments by Nigerians from January to June 2022 |
Peter Obi Vladimir Putin Bianca Ojukwu Simon Leviev Will Smith Abba Kyari Johnny Depp Black Chully Funmilayo Adebayo aka Mummy GO Kelly Tiktok | Afcon 2022 ASUU strike Winter Paralympics Chrisland school girl APC Presidential primaries Russia Ukraine conflict Kuje Prison attack PDP Presidential primaries 2022 Owo Church Attack Blasphemy Sokoto |
| Top trending deaths by Nigerians from January to June 2022 | Top trending sports people by Nigerians from January to June 2022 |
Osinachi Nwachukwu Chinedu Nwadike Dejo Tunfulu Alaafin of Oyo Shinzo Abe Alao Akala Osmond Gbadebo Abiodun Oropo Mino Raiola Ernest Shonekan | Raheem Sterling Rafinha Lisandro Martinez Eriksen Gabriel Jesus Koulibaly Erik ten hag Tyrell malacia Darwin Nunez Frenkie de Jong |
| Top trending musicians by Nigerians from January to June 2022 | Top trending songs by Nigerians from January to June 2022 |
Oxlade Black Sherif Portable Lil tjay Asake Ruger Angelique Kidjo DJ YK Asap Rocky Toni Braxton | Kizz Daniel, Tekno – Buga Mavins, Crayon, Ayra Starr, LADIPOE, Magixx & Boy Spyce – Overdose Ruger – Girlfriend Rema – Calm Down Pheelz – Finesse ft Buju Ruger – Dior Portable ft. Olamide & Poco Lee – Zazu Zeh Kizz Daniel – Pour Me Water Skiibii – Baddest boy Asake – Peace Be Unto You |
| Top trending movies/ TV Series by Nigerians from January to June 2022 | Top trending actors by Nigerians from January to June 2022 |
Blood Sisters Thor love and thunder Stranger things Tinder swindler Morbius Eternals Spider man no way home Moon knight Sex life The boys | Olu Jacobs Kemi Afolabi Yul Edochie Judy Austin Joke Silvia Ini Dima-Okojie |
Search trends information is gleaned from data collated by Google based on what Nigerians have been searching for and asking Google. Google processes more than 40, 000 search queries every second.
This translates to more than a billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwide
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