The Zikoko Culture List 2025
Our definitive list of the 100 Nigerians who shaped, disrupted and redefined culture in 2025.
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Table Of Contents
Film & TV
Arts & Culture
Music
Beauty & Fashion
Digital Creators
Business & Entrepreneurship
Advocacy
Sports
Media & Journalism
At Zikoko, we pride ourselves in being custodians of Nigerian culture. We document the zeitgeist, trace its shifts, and amplify the people and ideas shaping it. This year, it became clear that we also needed a more intentional way to recognise the Nigerians whose influence on culture cannot be ignored.
That’s how the Zikoko Culture List was born.
The Zikoko Culture List 2025, our inaugural edition, is our way of celebrating Nigerians who shaped, disrupted and redefined culture in 2025. Spanning nine categories — from film & TV to advocacy — and voted on by carefully selected committees, the list is not just about fame or power. It’s about influence, innovation, and lasting impact.
Simply put, it’s Zikoko’s declaration of the people who, in 2025, made Nigeria’s culture pulse louder, at home and across the world.
These are the 100 honourees, in no particular order.
Film & TV
VOTING COMMITTEE
- Samson Toromade (Culture Journalist)
- Nonzo Bassey (Actor)
- Collins Okoh (Screenwriter)
Arts & Culture
VOTING COMMITTEE
- Mikey Oshai (Photographer)
- Desmond Vincent (Culture Journalist)
- Osemudiamen Ehiabhi (Product Design Lead, BCM)
Music
VOTING COMMITTEE
- Dami Ajayi (Poet, Critic & Music Writer)
- Tomide Marv (Music Journalist)
- Jim Donnett (PR & Admin Manager, Sony Music, West Africa)
Beauty & Fashion
VOTING COMMITTEE
- Edwin Okolo (Co-founder, Studio IMO)
- Mazzi Odu (Writer & Creative Consultant)
- Mary Edoro (Fashion Editor)
Digital Creators
VOTING COMMITTEE
- Ayo Lawal (Editor, This Day Style)
- IK Nwosu (Managing Editor, Okay Africa)
- Dami Olatunji (Managing Editor, Zikoko)
Business & Entrepreneurship
VOTING COMMITTEE
- Favour Ogunlana Azeez (Head of BizDev, BCM)
- Ganiu Oloruntade (Senior Editor, TechCabal)
- Lawretta Egba (CEO, Mustard Insights)
Advocacy
VOTING COMMITTEE
- Afolabi Aiyela (Executive Director, TIERS Nigeria)
- Hauwa Ojeifo (Founder, She Writes Woman)
- Astor George (Senior Editor, Zikoko)
Sports
VOTING COMMITTEE
- Tolu Olasoji (Sports Journalist)
- Oluwatobi Ayinde (Sports Journalist)
- Solace Chukwu (Sports Journalist)
Media & Journalism
VOTING COMMITTEE
- Fu’ad Lawal (EIC, TechCabal)
- Daniel Orubo (EIC, Zikoko)
- Todah Opeyemi (Reporter, BBCAfrica)
CREDITS
PRODUCERS
- Daniel Orubo
- Astor George
WRITERS
- Astor George
EDITORS
- Daniel Orubo
- Toheeb Lanlehin
- Dami Olatunji
- Adeyinka Odutuyo
RESEARCHERS
- Tomide Marv
- Adaora Obeleagu
DESIGNERS
- Osemudiamen Ehiabhi
- Lanre Adebanjo
ENGINEERS
- Basil Okache
- Stephen Akinola
- Tuedon Tuoyo
- Chioma Nwadiko
OUR MISSION
Zikoko amplifies African youth culture by curating and creating smart and joyful content for young Africans and the world.