Google on Tuesday unveiled its 2024 Year in Search for Nigeria, highlighting that the top three news searches of the year were the U.S. elections, Nigeria’s new national anthem, and the national grid.
The annual report reveals the most popular searches across various categories, including notable individuals, musicians, movies, TV series, and questions that captured Nigerians’ interest.
“In Nigeria, this year’s results show a continued interest in the political and economic landscape, with searches related to the U.S. elections, the new national anthem, and the national grid topping the news category in this order,” Google stated.
Among trending personalities, Bobrisky led the searches, reflecting Nigerians’ curiosity about prominent figures. The music scene saw a surge in popularity for artists like Shallipopi and Khaid.
The top trending song was I Don’t Care by Boy Spyce, followed by Ozeba and Commas by Ayra Starr. In the lyrics category, Ogechi lyrics, Ozeba lyrics, and Omemma by Chandler Moore topped the charts.
Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google West Africa’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager commented on the findings:
“The 2024 Year in Search offers a unique lens into the questions, interests, and conversations that shaped the lives of Nigerians this year. From cultural milestones to pressing concerns, these insights reflect how Search continues to be a valuable tool for users to navigate and better understand their world.”
Nigerians also demonstrated a keen interest in entertainment. Top movies included A Tribe Called Judah, Treasure In The Sky, and Damsel. Popular TV series searches featured Supacell, My Demon, and Queen of Tears. In culinary searches, the Pornstar Martini recipe led the way.
Practical and global concerns were also reflected in trending questions such as “How much is a dollar to naira today?”, “How to get perfectly defined curls for African hair?”, and “Who won the U.S. presidential election?”. Nigerians frequently searched for the meanings of words like demure, steeze, and pet peeves.
The 2024 report highlighted significant events, including the U.S. elections where Donald Trump emerged victorious in November and President Bola Tinubu’s decision on May 29 to reinstate Nigeria’s old national anthem, which was previously abandoned in 1978.
Additionally, the national grid drew attention due to frequent power failures, with reports indicating it collapsed over 10 times in 2024.
Google’s Year in Search remains a comprehensive analysis of the trends that shaped global and local conversations, helping users better understand the world through Search.