Lagos, December 4, 2025 – Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the outspoken lawmaker representing Kogi Central, has been named the most searched Nigerian personality in Google’s 2025 Year in Search report, released today. The annual compilation, which captures the nation’s digital pulse through billions of queries, confirms that the 45-year-old politician commanded unprecedented public attention throughout the year.
Google described the surge in searches for the senator as driven by “intense interest in her rising political profile,” particularly her public confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, allegations of harassment and bullying in the National Assembly, and her subsequent suspension from the Senate in March 2025. The controversy, which played out across traditional and social media, sparked nationwide conversations about gender, power, and accountability in Nigerian politics, propelling her name above celebrities, musicians, and even global events of global significance.
The 2025 report paints a vivid picture of a nation deeply engaged with both domestic drama and world affairs. Nigerians turned to Google to follow fast-moving political developments at home while simultaneously tracking major international stories, including the escalating Israel–Iran conflict and the tightly contested United States presidential election.
National grief also dominated search trends. The passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2025 triggered one of the largest spikes in search activity of the year, as citizens revisited his eight-year tenure, debated his legacy on security, the economy, and anti-corruption, and sought details about his state funeral.
In sports, the death of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai in July prompted an outpouring of nostalgia, with fans searching for old match highlights, his iconic saves, and tributes to “Dodomayana,” the nickname he earned for his acrobatic style between the posts in the 1990s.
Entertainment and faith continued to offer solace and celebration. The gospel anthem “Oluwatosin (Jesus Is Enough)” by Tkeyz featuring Steve Hills became the most searched song of 2025, its message of hope and praise resonating deeply amid economic hardship. It was closely followed by Fido’s uplifting “Joy Is Coming” and the romantic collaboration “With You” by Davido and Omah Lay.
Nollywood maintained its cultural dominance, with acclaimed director Kemi Adetiba ranking among the most searched personalities thanks to her blockbuster Netflix series To Kill a Monkey, which Google crowned the most searched local show of the year. The crime thriller, cyber-fraud, and redemption drama kept viewers glued throughout the second half of 2025.
Internet culture and viral moments also shaped the search landscape. The global “Labubu” doll craze — tiny elf-like figurines that became a status symbol among Gen Z — topped the list of most asked “What is…?” questions, while Nigerians flooded search bars trying to understand the meaning of “Achalugo,” an Igbo term of endearment (“the pride of an eagle”) popularized by the hit YouTube romantic film Love in Every Word.
Food and lifestyle searches reflected a mix of comfort and aspiration. Recipes for classic chinchin dominated cooking queries, the trendy Pornstar Martini cocktail surged in popularity among urban nightlife crowds, and health-conscious Nigerians increasingly looked up “Ginger Shots” as a natural immunity booster.
Commenting on the findings, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications & Public Affairs Manager for West Africa, said:
“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 underscores how, in a year of political turbulence, economic strain, and cultural evolution, Nigerians turned to the internet not just for information, but for understanding, connection, and sometimes escape. From the Senate chambers to streaming platforms, from gospel worship to viral dolls, the searches of 2025 tell the story of a resilient people making sense of a complex world — one query at a time.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s position at the very top of the list is perhaps the clearest signal yet that Nigerian women in politics are no longer background figures; they are now central to the national conversation.
