Nigeria’s first-ever influencers and content creators awards, the Trendupp Awards, has successfully honored and promoted the work of individuals, brands, and organizations that have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s social media world. We watched the third edition of the breathtaking and spectacular award event with the theme The Force of Influence last night.
The Trendupp Awards went on to present a lovely evening where the guests in attendance came through with their stunning outfit and red carpet appearance. The night was a beautiful one as creatives, influencers vibed and had a good red carpet time as hosts and presenters interviewed various creators and influencers while various media houses such as Tooxclusive came on to attend and review the show.
The show finally started around 9pm where the host, Kiekie, wasted no time in introducing the categories and nominees where the Awards honor mostly content creators, influencers, and companies that had a positive impact on the social media community through innovative content, disruptive movements, and campaigns on Instagram, Tiktok, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, among other social media platforms. As the hosts, Kiekie – who was one of the favorites to win the night and the prize – opened the night, we knew we were in for a good while. The amazing hosts introduced 16 major categories with various nominees popular amongst users online. The first award of the night, “The Force of Virality”, went to popular Instagram user, Lege Miami (@legemiamii).
The second award, Emerging Force, was won by popular rising star and comedian, Layi Wasabi (@layiwasabi). Note that this category is for Content creators and influencers who are rated as the next big deal in social media between March 2022 – March 2023. The next award wasted no time to be introduced as we notice some popular celebrities such as actress Toyin Abraham and Big Brother ex-housemate, Shegz, amongst others trooped in attendance. The next category seemed to have an obvious winner in its category as Aproko Doctor (@aproko_doctor) was introduced as the winner of the “Force of Wellness” category who went on to edge nominees like Pastor Bolaji and Kemen Fitness. This category concerns itself with influencers and content creators using social platforms to improve the well-being and health of the public in engaging ways. Other categories like “Force of Tech Content” and “Force of Lifestyle content” had winners, Kagan Tech and “This Thing Called Fashion”, respectively beating other content creators in their categories.
We have to mention there were also terrific performances, both singers, dancers, hypemen, came through to make a decent display of the colorful night. The award night was a cold blissful one and everyone appeared entertained. One of the special categories of the night, “Force of Social Good” where influencers and content creators who clamored for the social good of the community are recognized was won by Seyi Oluyole who incredibly beat nominees such as Tunde Onakoya, Savvy Rinu, Tosin Olaseinde, amongst others. There was a good buzz and burst of energy as Denrele came on stage. Thereafter, the “Force of YouTube” winner, Brain Jotter (@brainjotter), was announced. While the “Force of TikTok” was won by SoftMadeIt. We had another good burst of stage performances, Nigerian Idol winner 2022 was also on stage or serenade fans with a thrilling time. We then had the “Force of Instagram” won by Shegz of Big Brother Nigeria and the “Force of Online Sensation” was won by Unusual Phyna who beat Pocolee, Yhemolee, Charles Okocha, amongst others in her category.
After which we had a beautiful and major outstanding night performance done by Niniola. The Force of collaboration was won by “1xBet” which is a category with nominated Brands that strategically identify and leverage impactful partnerships with content creators/Influencers between March 2022 – March 2023. The “Force of Comedy Skits” was then won by Taaoma, who beat Nasboi, Mr. Funny (Sabinus), Sydney Talker, etc. The Force of Food Content, which recognizes Influencers and Content Creators who have been able to infuse creativity in their content thus commanding engagement in the food niche, was won by Opeyemi Famakin. While the “Force of Creative Art” where Influencers and content creators who commanded the highest engagement & virality power in the art niches such as: painting/drawing, writing, video content production and dancing are awarded went to “Itom” who beat Sega, Korty, Dan Dizzy, and others.
The category of the controversial and interesting app, Twitter, winner goes to Ben Hundeyin who beat Daniel Regha, Alex House of 308, B.O.D Republic, Rutie X, and Mbah to take home the award. Then the major award – The Force of Influence – where the Influencer or content creator who commanded the highest influence in the Nigerian social media space between March 2022 – March 2023 takes home the prize was introduced to crown the night. It seemed undoubtedly the main man was Mr. Marcaroni as he was crowned the winner of the Force of Influence on Trend Upp Awards 2023 #TA23.
