Saharareporters a blog, attempts insight into trending social and political events in Nigeria using snapshots of trending hashtags.
- Sets off buzz in Kenyan social media ..come after the Nigerians.
Here is an encapsulation of this social media fray. Who is going to tell us why there is beef between these two continental neighbors.
Read here
From politics to Hogwarts: a snapshot of Lagos in six hashtags
How did the president upset Twitter? Are Kenyans more adept at social media? A look at what’s been trending and why
Photo: STR/EPA
Online campaigners have kept fighting for the Chibok girls, but what other issues have set Twitter alight?
Online campaigners have kept fighting for the Chibok girls, but what other issues have set Twitter alight?
They say you can tell a lot about a city by when it goes to sleep, but what about how people tweet?
As part of our week-long focus on Lagos, we want to get under the
fingertips of those tweeting about the city to find out how the major
news stories, political scandals and celebrity gossip play out online.
As thousands descend on one of Africa’s major tech hubs for social media week, we asked iTrended.com to help identify some of the most popular hashtags mentioning Lagos or Nigeria over the past six months.
The results are a mixed bag, said Declan Galvin of the investigative website Sahara Reporters, showing how Nigerian social media users are challenging the political establishment.
This was evident in the 2015 presidential campaign when candidates found themselves up against “an unruly and hyperactive online community demanding political reform”, says Galvin.
According to Internet World Stats, 50% of Nigerians have access to the internet. While Facebook dominates, Nigerians are the third most enthusiastic tweeters in Africa.
Both platforms are the centre of democratic debate, adds Galvin.
From memes to city marathons to outrage over President Muhammadu Buhari’s comments about Nigerians abroad, here are six of the most popular hashtags from the past six months.
The race, which stretched from the national stadium to Eko Atlantic, was run by professional runners and hundreds of amateurs, including 68-year-old civil servant Abiola Oshodi-Adeniyibada – whose participation was celebrated widely.
As thousands descend on one of Africa’s major tech hubs for social media week, we asked iTrended.com to help identify some of the most popular hashtags mentioning Lagos or Nigeria over the past six months.
The results are a mixed bag, said Declan Galvin of the investigative website Sahara Reporters, showing how Nigerian social media users are challenging the political establishment.
This was evident in the 2015 presidential campaign when candidates found themselves up against “an unruly and hyperactive online community demanding political reform”, says Galvin.
According to Internet World Stats, 50% of Nigerians have access to the internet. While Facebook dominates, Nigerians are the third most enthusiastic tweeters in Africa.
Both platforms are the centre of democratic debate, adds Galvin.
From memes to city marathons to outrage over President Muhammadu Buhari’s comments about Nigerians abroad, here are six of the most popular hashtags from the past six months.
#Lagosmarathon
The city’s first marathon, held on 6 February, was one of the hottest online topics in first week of the month.The race, which stretched from the national stadium to Eko Atlantic, was run by professional runners and hundreds of amateurs, including 68-year-old civil servant Abiola Oshodi-Adeniyibada – whose participation was celebrated widely.
Access Bank Plc
68 yr old Abiola Oshodi-Adeniyibada completed #AccessLagosCityMarathon. RT if you think she's a star. #runlagos
The top two places were bagged by Kenyan athletes, prompting some Twitter users to joke about the marked difference in sporting prowess between the two nations:
JJ. Omojuwa
Kenyans have finished running the #LagosMarathon but we will not finish our coverage until Nigerians get across the half way line!
While general reaction to the event was positive, some bemoaned the additional traffic chaos that ensued. According to Twitter user Tolu Fawehinmi one bride had to walk to her wedding due to the disruption.
Tolulope Fawehinmi
One of d many casualties of #LagosMarathon
Others were defeated by the 26.2-mile course, despite previous bravado:
#NigeriansAreNotCriminals
Another popular topic this month was the outrage sparked by Buhari’s remarks to the UK’s Telegraph newspaper, suggesting Nigeria’s reputation for crime made its citizens undesirable to countries where they might hope to seek asylum.
Her Royal Bossness
I am Adaobi Amadi
I am a Nigerian
I am a Chemistry Teacher
I work very hard for my money
I am not a criminal!\
When people say I've changed, I correct them...
I haven't changed;
I've evolved
Gotten wiser, stronger
I'm still me, just a better version
1 retweet
1 like
As soon as his words got back to his citizens, #NigerianAreNotCriminals started trending.
Thousands took to Twitter to accuse their president of hypocrisy, misrepresentation and overlooking their achievements.
KINDLY FOLLOW BACK
Wen u are seekin 4 a UK visa nd d next news u hear is dat PMB is callin y'all criminals #NigeriansAreNotCriminals
#RedefineNigeria
In December 2014, #RedefineNigeria began to trend as citizens began to consider the ramifications of the so-called “social media bill”, which was considering making it a crime to propagate “false information” on the internet.“The social media bill was a move by those who promised us #OpenNass [a transparent and accessible national assembly] to gag us,” explains Jeff Okoroafor, a Twitter user who first coined the hashtag.
The activist, who also founded @OpinionNigeria, said he took to social media to voice his objections – which quickly went viral.
Jeff Okoroafor
Given what we are seeing and hearing, we may have to call back all these Legislators. #NoToSocialMediaBill #MarchOnNASS #RedefineNigeria
ialmediabill and marched on the national assembly in Abuja. Buhari subsequently later distanced himself from the bill and reaffirmed his commitment to free speech.
#RedefineNigeria
In December 2014, #RedefineNigeria began to trend as citizens began to consider the ramifications of the so-called “social media bill”, which was considering making it a crime to propagate “false information” on the internet.“The social media bill was a move by those who promised us #OpenNass [a transparent and accessible national assembly] to gag us,” explains Jeff Okoroafor, a Twitter user who first coined the hashtag.
The activist, who also founded @OpinionNigeria, said he took to social media to voice his objections – which quickly went viral.
Giving up on the#ChibokGirls now will be giving up on Nigeria.#NeverToBeForgotten#BringBackOurGirls#RedefineNigeria
#KenyansvsNigerians
Kenyans on Twitter, also known as #KOT, are a force to be reckoned with, but what happened when they went up against the might of Nigerians on the platform?No one quite knows how it started, but for a period in October 2015 Kenyans and Nigerian took to goading each other, with insults ranging from who had the best gadgets, the best leaders and best comebacks.
Who won? That’s for you decide.
HAKEEM
Thank God for nokia 2600 classic,kenyans are now on twitter!#kenyansvsnigerians
Obi
— AJAGBE (@LoNgMaN_HayJay) October 30, 2015
Who said Kenyans don't have hoverboard? I hereby present to you, the Kenyan hoverboard ☺☺☺ #KenyansVsNigerians pic.twitter.com/fOAY29qFuL
AJAGBE
Who said Kenyans don't have hoverboard? I hereby present to you, the Kenyan hoverboard 
#KenyansVsNigerians
-
@LoNgMaN_HayJay@Foxy__Siren this one should be called hover kenya
Princee
#NigeriansAtHogwarts
“JK Rowling didn’t say it but there are Nigerian foreign students at Hogwarts. As a Nigerian, you learn that your patronus is your mum,” tweeted Walle Lawal, editor of culture magazine The Republic last August.“The aim was to allow Nigerians to cast reality onto the imagined and to see and, perhaps, even enjoy the ridiculousness of the Nigerian’s world,” Lawal told Okay Africa, after sparking mass online contemplation about joining the class of Harry, Hermione and Ron.
— BOLAJI (@ooh_bubble) August 1, 2015
When your parents could not afford a owl for you so they gave you chicken #Nigeriansathogwarts pic.twitter.com/L6IFLh4HAu
— Niç (@BoozeBumps) August 1, 2015
#NigeriansAtHogwarts your whole family be at platform nine and three-quarters on your first year like.. pic.twitter.com/zZxqCVNBn7
Purple Reign
When your parents could not afford a owl for you so they gave you chicken #Nigeriansathogwarts
Niç
The Shenanigans
#NigeriansAtHogwarts they'll lose their wands because they're looking for Original Blackberry Charger
#SecSchoolinNigeria
Another source of endless memes (and hysterical crying emojis) was #secschoolinnigeria, a place for Lagosians and the rest of country to reminisce about their time in secondary education: from tests to the joys of jollof rice at lunch.
DaddyMO®
— DaddyMO® (@officialdaddymo) August 6, 2015
#SecSchoolInNigeria when u come out of maths exam & everyone is discussing question 6&7 but u didn't turn the page🙆🏾 pic.twitter.com/uKhamdipV8
G!
When you and your gang missed a major test but the teacher says he's not recording #SecSchoolInNigeria
— G! (@meka_george) August 6, 2015
When you and your gang missed a major test but the teacher says he's not recording #SecSchoolInNigeria pic.twitter.com/DDY1kzlwKn
— Plangkat Miller-Ham (@peekaymila) August 6, 2015
#SecSchoolInNigeria
When the dining hall prefect calls for extra jollof rice
Plangkat Miller-Ham
Courtesy: Guardian
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