If Nigeria had one shared diary in 2025, it looked a lot like Google search. On phones across the country, people typed questions that reflected fear, curiosity, humour, grief, and obsession in equal measure. From political headlines to internet crazes, the Year in Search report paints a portrait of a nation glued to both its realities and its entertainment.

Major political stories drove some of the highest Google search interests of the year. Senator Natasha Akpoti emerged as the most searched Nigerian personality, showing how closely Nigerians followed the twists and public debates shaping the country’s political landscape. At the same time, global developments were also on the radar, as searches surged around the Israel-Iran war and the United States elections, revealing how Nigerians tracked international events alongside local affairs.

The year also carried moments of solemn reflection. The death of former President Muhammadu Buhari triggered a spike in searches as many Nigerians revisited memories of his leadership and long public service. Sports fans mourned legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, with searches focused on his career highlights and contributions to Nigerian football. Interest also rose around the passing of Pope Francis, marking a global moment of remembrance that resonated locally.

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Entertainment searches told a different story, filled with rhythm, emotion, and homegrown pride. Music trends pointed to a nation balancing spiritual comfort with vibrant Afrobeats energy. Gospel track “Oluwatosin (Jesus is Enough)” by Tkeyz featuring Steve Hills topped song searches, reflecting the appetite for worship anthems and inspirational soundtracks. 

Alongside it were feel-good favourites such as Fido’s “Joy is Coming” and chart collaborations including Davido and Omah Lay’s “With You,” showing that Nigerian listeners continued to dominate online music conversations.

Film and television also drew strong attention. Director Kemi Adetiba ranked among the most searched personalities of the year, boosted by the success of her hit series “To Kill a Monkey,” which emerged as the most searched Nigerian screen title of 2025.

Away from the headlines and playlists, everyday curiosity shaped another layer of Google Search activity. Nigerians leaned into internet culture as they tried to decode trending content. One of the most common questions typed into Google was simply “What is Labubu?”, while the meaning of “Achalugo,” popularised by the YouTube film “Love in Every Word,” sparked widespread searches as the phrase filtered into social media conversations.

Food searches reflected the same mix of tradition and experimentation. Users looked up familiar favourites like chinchin while also exploring newer global tastes such as the Pornstar Martini and wellness-inspired ginger shots, revealing how Nigerian kitchens are blending old flavours with new routines.

Summing up the year, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa, said, “The 2025 Year in Search is more than just data; it is a vibrant, unfiltered mirror of our collective attention.

“Whether it is tracking the biggest headlines, reflecting on the legacies of icons we lost, or simply figuring out the latest slang, these lists show that Nigerians are using Search to actively engage with the world around them.”

Across politics, entertainment, sports, and everyday internet curiosity, Nigerians used Google Search in 2025 not just to find answers, but to stay emotionally connected to the moments that mattered most, whether joyous, confusing, or heartbreaking.

Cynthia Nwanonyiri