2025 was the year Nigerian social media proved it’s the most chaotic, creative, and entertaining space on the internet. From celebrity drama to national celebrations, political controversies to TikTok scandals, these are the moments that had EVERYONE talking.
Whether you were Team This or Team That, on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok or hiding in a WhatsApp group somewhere, these moments found you. Let’s break down what broke the internet this year.
1. #Chivido2025 – Davido & Chioma’s Miami Wedding
When Davido married Chioma in Miami, it wasn’t just a celebrity wedding, it was like a NATIONAL EVENT. The wedding trended for WEEKS. Not days. WEEKS.
Every single detail was analyzed: Chioma’s hairstyle inspired countless salon visits and YouTube tutorials. Her dress, her makeup, her smile, everything became content. The guest list read like a who’s who of Nigerian entertainment: Adekunle Gold and D’banj performed, celebrities flew in from across the globe and the entire production was pure luxury.
Davido and Chioma’s love story is one Nigerians have followed for YEARS; through the ups, the downs, the breakups, the reconciliations and the tragic loss of their son. When they finally said “I do,” it felt like a national victory. People who weren’t invited felt like they were part of it because social media brought every moment to their phones. Millions of posts, thousands of think pieces, endless memes and a renewed belief in love. #Chivido2025 became more than a hashtag; it became a cultural moment.
2. Super Falcons’ Historic WAFCON Comeback
In July, Nigeria’s women’s football team trailed 2-0 against Morocco in the 2025 WAFCON final. Most people had given up. WhatsApp groups went silent. Twitter was preparing the “we tried” tweets.
Then the Super Falcons said “NOT TODAY.”
They staged a STUNNING comeback to win 3-2, securing their 10th continental title. Social media EXPLODED. Emotional reactions, celebratory videos, patriotic chants, the timeline was pure, unfiltered JOY.
For a country that doesn’t always celebrate its women’s teams the way it should, this victory sparked national pride and reminded everyone why the Falcons are legendary. Women who consistently deliver excellence finally got the recognition they deserved. The victory renewed demands for better funding for women’s sports and calls to celebrate female athletes more consistently.
3. #JP2025 – Priscilla Ojo & Juma Jux’s Wedding
Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo’s daughter, Priscilla, married Tanzanian singer Juma Jux in April, and the wedding became a full-scale digital event. Fans dissected asoebi coordination, celebrity appearances and every fashion choice with the dedication of FBI investigators.
The wedding proved that influencer culture in Nigeria has reached a point where personal milestones become national entertainment. People who didn’t know Priscilla before the wedding became invested in her love story because of how it was packaged and shared online.
Beautiful people, beautiful wedding, beautiful content. The documentation was flawless, the aesthetics were on point, and Nigerians love a good love story; especially one that crosses borders (Nigeria + Tanzania = Pan-African love goals). This wedding showed brands, marketers and aspiring content creators the power of building a personal brand. Priscilla turned her wedding into a masterclass in influencer marketing.
4. Hilda Baci’s Record-Breaking Jollof Rice
In September, Chef Hilda Baci cooked 8,780 kilograms of jollof rice at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos, setting a Guinness World Record and celebrating Nigerian culinary pride.
This wasn’t just about cooking; it was about JOLLOF, the dish Nigerians will defend with their last breath. The dish we’ll argue with Ghanaians about until the end of time. The dish that represents home, comfort and Nigerian excellence.
Social media provided updates every hour. Memes flooded timelines. Genuine national pride was on full display. Brands aligned themselves with the moment. Celebrities showed up to support. Hilda became a household name all over again (she already held a cooking marathon record previously). The message was clear: Nigerian excellence, determination, and our unshakeable love for jollof rice. It was a feel-good moment in a year that desperately needed more of them.
5. The Labubu Doll Craze & Controversy
In 2025, Labubu dolls; those strange-looking toys with protruding teeth and creepy expressions became an unexpected status symbol among Nigerian youth, particularly Gen Z. What started as a quirky collectible turned into a full-blown social media phenomenon.
The dolls, priced between ₦15,000 to over ₦100,000 depending on size and rarity, suddenly appeared everywhere; on Instagram posts, TikTok videos and attached to designer bags as luxury accessories. Celebrities and influencers flaunted their Labubu collections, sparking a buying frenzy.
But the craze came with SERIOUS controversy. Religious groups and concerned parents raised alarms about the dolls’ “demonic” appearance. Pastors preached against them. Muslim clerics warned families. WhatsApp forwards claimed the dolls were cursed or part of occult practices. Some schools banned them entirely.
Social media was DIVIDED. One camp defended Labubu as harmless toys and accused critics of being superstitious. The other camp insisted the dolls had sinister spiritual origins and shouldn’t be in Nigerian homes. The debates were HEATED, with both sides presenting “evidence” to support their positions. The fact that something so innocent-looking could spark such intense controversy is very on-brand for Nigerian social media.
6. Lagos Flooding & The Memes That Followed
When heavy rains hit Lagos in 2025, causing severe flooding across Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and other areas, Nigerians did what they do best; turned tragedy into content.
Videos of cars submerged in water, people kayaking down flooded streets, and houses interiors resembling a swimming pool went viral. But instead of just complaining, Lagosians created some of the funniest content of the year.
TikTokers made skits about “waterfront properties” finally living up to their names. Instagram comedians joked about paying ₦3 million rent to live in an aquarium. Twitter users created “Lagos Submarine Service” memes. Someone even posted a video of fish swimming in their compound with the caption “At least we won’t buy fish for soup today.”
The creativity was UNMATCHED. Nigerians compared flooded streets to Venice, Italy. Real estate agents got roasted for advertising “waterfront” properties that are literally underwater. The floods also sparked important conversations about climate change, poor urban planning, blocked drainage systems and why a city that generates billions in revenue still can’t manage rainwater properly.
7. 2Baba & Annie Macaulay Separation Saga
In January and February, the internet was CONSUMED by reports of trouble in the marriage of music legend 2Baba (Tuface) and actress Annie Macaulay-Idibia.
Deleted Instagram posts. Cryptic stories. Subtle hints. Rumors of new relationships. Family members weighing in. Friends picking sides. The speculation was ENDLESS.
Nigerians are emotionally invested in celebrity relationships, especially ones that have been public for YEARS. 2Baba and Annie’s love story has played out in music videos, reality shows and social media for over a decade. When cracks appeared, people felt personally affected.
The internet was divided: Team Annie vs. Team 2Baba vs. Team “Mind Your Business” vs. Team “Both of Them Need Therapy.” The debates were fierce, the think pieces were plentiful, and everyone had an opinion. The saga reminded us that even love stories we root for can face challenges. Celebrity marriages are still marriages, with all the complications that come with them.
8. BBNaija Season 10 – Imisi’s Victory
In October, Imisioluwa Ayanwale won Big Brother Naija Season 10, capturing hearts with her authenticity. BBNaija remains one of Nigeria’s biggest annual social media events and 2025 was no different.
Every eviction was a trending topic. Every fight became a debate. Every romantic entanglement was analyzed like it was Shakespeare. Twitter polls ran constantly. Instagram was flooded with #TeamWhoever posts. WhatsApp groups argued daily.
In a show that often rewards performance over personality, Imisi’s win felt earned because viewers connected with her REALNESS. She wasn’t trying to be perfect or playing a character; she was just herself, and Nigerians appreciated that. BBNaija continues to be Nigeria’s biggest reality TV export and a social media goldmine. Brands, influencers and marketers treat it like the Super Bowl of Nigerian entertainment.
9. Peller’s Emotional Livestream Car Crash
In December, TikTok star Peller (Habeeb Hamzat) was hospitalized after crashing his newly acquired Mercedes-Benz during an emotional livestream on the Lekki-Epe Expressway, following an alleged breakup with fellow content creator Jarvis.
The disturbing video showed Peller visibly distressed, making alarming statements about self-harm before the crash. Bystanders rushed to help, and he was taken to a hospital. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) announced they would prosecute him for reckless driving.
The incident was captured LIVE. Thousands watched in real-time as it unfolded. The aftermath sparked intense debates about mental health, the pressure of online fame, influencer responsibility and the dangers of creating content while driving.
The conversations covered mental health challenges among content creators, the responsibility that comes with having a large platform, whether influencers should face stricter consequences for dangerous behavior, the role of social media platforms in preventing harmful content, and the pressure young creators face to constantly produce viral moments.
Some expressed genuine concern for Peller’s mental health. Others criticized what they saw as dangerous, attention-seeking behavior. Many called for better support systems for young influencers. FRSC’s decision to prosecute sparked conversations about accountability vs. compassion and whether legal consequences are appropriate for someone clearly in distress.
10. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan vs. Senate President Akpabio
In February, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio sparked viral debates on gender justice and political accountability.
Nigerians engaged FIERCELY online. Twitter threads dissected every claim and counterclaim. Radio discussions had people calling in to debate what Natasha did right and what she did wrong. WhatsApp forwards were flying. Family dinners became heated political debates.
The story forced uncomfortable but NECESSARY conversations about power dynamics, harassment and women in Nigerian politics. It showed that social media is becoming a powerful tool for political accountability in Nigeria, even when traditional systems fail.
Some supported Natasha for speaking out. Others questioned her approach. Many used it as an opportunity to discuss systemic issues in Nigerian politics. The conversations were messy, but they were important.
11. DJ Chicken’s Repeated Traffic Offenses
Content creator Ademola “DJ Chicken” Abiodun made headlines throughout 2025 for repeated dangerous driving incidents. In November, he collided with two motorcycles in Sagamu, Ogun State, injuring several people.
The Ogun State Ministry of Justice described DJ Chicken as “a particular danger to society” and confirmed prosecution. His repeated offenses sparked conversations about influencer accountability and the consequences of using dangerous behavior for content.
Unlike Peller’s emotional incident, DJ Chicken’s repeated offenses felt deliberate. The pattern of behavior; crash, apologize, create more dangerous content, repeat, frustrated Nigerians who felt he wasn’t taking public safety seriously.
The broader conversation asked: Should influencers face harsher penalties for putting others at risk? Are viral moments worth endangering lives? What responsibility do platforms have in preventing dangerous content? These questions dominated discussions throughout the year.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that Nigerian social media is NEVER boring. We create moments. We break the internet. We turn ordinary events into cultural phenomena. We argue passionately about everything. We laugh through pain. We celebrate victories. We hold people accountable (sometimes).
As we head into 2026, expect more influencer drama (it’s inevitable), continued conversations about mental health and online fame, more celebrity weddings becoming national events, political moments dominating timelines during election season, content creators pushing boundaries (for better or worse) and Nigerians continuing to be the most creative, chaotic and entertaining people on the internet.
The question isn’t whether Nigeria will dominate social media conversations in 2026, the question is WHICH moments will break the internet next.
