In a defining snapshot of the nation's digital curiosity, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has clinched the title of the most searched Nigerian personality for the year 2025, according to the official Google Year in Search report. The data provides a compelling window into the issues, personalities, and cultural moments that dominated the online attention of Nigerians over the past twelve months.
The Political Pulse: Akpoti's Rise and National Reflection
The report highlights that the Kogi Central lawmaker generated what Google termed "unprecedented public interest" throughout the year. Citizens turned to the search engine in large numbers to track the rapid developments and growing influence surrounding her political career. This trend underscores a populace deeply engaged with evolving political narratives at home.
Beyond Senator Akpoti, the search data revealed a nation processing significant events. The passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari prompted a major surge in queries, as Nigerians sought to revisit and assess the impact of his tenure on the country's political trajectory. On the global stage, searches spiked around fast-moving news, including the Israel-Iran conflict and the United States elections, painting a picture of a nation keenly following both domestic and international shifts.
Entertainment, Culture, and Collective Memory
The entertainment sector powerfully shaped the national mood online. The gospel track Oluwatosin (Jesus Is Enough) by Tkeyz featuring Steve Hills led the list of most searched songs. It was closely followed by Fido's Joy Is Coming and the collaboration With You by Davido and Omah Lay.
In Nollywood, director Kemi Adetiba ranked among the year's most searched personalities, driven largely by the phenomenal success of her series To Kill a Monkey, which Google crowned "the most searched local show of the year." The sports community also turned to Search to mourn and celebrate, driving significant activity around the death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, with many users looking back to relive his most iconic moments on the field.
Decoding Trends and Lifestyle Shifts
Nigerians also used Google to make sense of viral internet culture and evolving lifestyles. The quirky 'Labubu' trend topped the chart for the year's most asked questions. Meanwhile, interest in the meaning of the word "Achalugo," popularised by the YouTube film Love in Every Word, saw a notable spike.
Food and beverage searches indicated an adventurous palate, with queries ranging from classic Chinchin recipes to the trendy Pornstar Martini cocktail and health-focused Ginger Shots.
Commenting on the comprehensive findings, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications & Public Affairs Manager for West Africa, stated: "The 2025 Year in Search is more than just data; it’s a vibrant, unfiltered mirror of our collective attention. Whether it’s tracking the biggest headlines, reflecting on the icons we lost or understanding the latest slang, Nigerians are using Search to actively engage with the world around them."
The report ultimately positions search data as a dynamic cultural ledger, capturing everything from high-stakes politics to everyday curiosity, and firmly placing Senator Natasha Akpoti at the centre of Nigeria's online discourse in 2025.
