The Top 15 Nigerian Political Twitter Accounts

Nigeria’s sociopolitical landscape often seems like a maze dotted with never-ending fires—from he-said-she-said scandals to plot twists on corruption, recession and terrorism. You can’t feature market vendors or startup entrepreneurs on a vox pop without complaints about the government erupting. And the citizenry take to social media to vent, commiserate, analyze and understand.

In a continent that has outstripped the U.S. and U.K. in using Twitter for political conversations, Nigeria ranks second on the list of African countries that tweet the most. Certain young Nigerian Tweetizens are skilled at navigating the maze. These influencers hold no government positions and with their wit, intellect and followerships of over 10,000, they provide clarity for the lost and inundated.

Here they are below:

1. Zainab Usman

Zainab Usman is one of the cohorts of young professionals at the World Bank in Washington D.C. This accomplished “keen-eyed watcher of Nigeria” has provided expert commentary on BBC, Aljazeera and the Washington Post.

2. Japheth Omojuwa

In addition to aggregating news, Omojuwa has built his online legacy on being an outspoken critic of the previous administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

3. Gimba Kakanda

Kakanda is a writer and poet who is often lyrical in his analysis and critique of the powers that be.

4. Aisha Yesufu

This fierce #BringBackOurGirls advocate has a long history of activism, including participating in medical students protest in 1994 at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, Nigeria.

5. Ayo Sogunro

Sogunro is a witty social critic, entrepreneur and author of the book, “Everything in Nigeria is Going to Kill You,” which documents how average Nigerians survive in a dysfunctional society. In the tweet below he responds to a comment from Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on President Muhammadu Buhari.

6. Mukhtar Dan’Iyan

Known on Twitter as Mr. Aye Dee, Dan’Iyan is a security expert and editor-in-chief of the Boko Haram monitoring group 15 Past Eight Media. In spite of some controversy surrounding his dispute with famous Nigerian blogger Linda Ikeji, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, and allegations of secret ties to the previous administration, Dan’Iyan has over 30,000 followers who value his opinions on the economy and the terrorist insurgency in Nigeria.

7. Gbenga Sesan

In 2012, Sesan was listed by CNN as one of the Top 10 African Tech Voices on Twitter. He is the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, a social enterprise that helps disadvantaged youth by connecting them to ICT-enabled opportunities. He is passionate about Information and Communications Technology in Africa and you will find him outlining ICT opportunities in the Nigerian economy.

8. The Godfather

While he is not a mafia patriarch, @Ayourb dispenses paternal wisdom and wit on a sociopolitical climate than often seems stranger than fiction.

9. Mercy Abang-Asu

In typical journalistic fashion, Abang-Asu curates top Nigerian news and events on her timeline, but every so often she drops truth bombs.

10. Chidi Okereke

This digital strategist and self-proclaimed hedonist is “no respecter of feelings.” With candor and a self-deprecating humor, he dissects everything from tips to avoiding Gidi traffic to patriarchy in the Nigerian society.

11. Blossom Ozurumba

Ozurumba is a social media maven, writer and self-help guru with inspiring and insightful messages on feminism and excellence.

12. Babatunde Rosanwo

Social commentator Babatunde Rosanwo serves 90,000 followers quips like the one below that are characteristic of his acerbic wit and intellect.

13. Henry Okelue

Follow this “erratic” writer, tech expert and four-eyed monk for polls, lists and questions on government policies and public concerns.

14. Onye Nkuzi

This anonymous Igbo teacher with a cover photo that features one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, Nnamdi Azikwe, draws attention to problems that continue to persist in Southeastern Nigeria.

15. Demola Olarewaju

Olarewaju is a creative writer, a political analyst with a knack for deciphering political ploys and gimmicks.

Chidinma Irene Nwoye is a freelance journalist based in New York City and a graduate of the Columbia Journalism School. She has written for Slate magazine and the Village Voice and enjoys covering African affairs and the intersection between politics and arts and culture. Follow her on Twitter @irenecnwoye.