Google unveils 2015 top search list for Nigeria

Curiosity drives us all-to ask, to feel, to delve, to discover- and with the touch of a button or by swiping a mobile device, we satisfy that ever-present itch to know. Google’s Annual Year in Search looks back at the events and hottest trends that kept fingers tapping throughout the year, in search of the latest news.  So what caught the collective eye of Nigerians in 2015?  Our 15th Annual Year in Search has all the answers, based on the top searches conducted in the country.

Local personalities, surprising events and unexpected trends in politics, business and entertainment had Nigerians trawling Google in search of answers. The postponed 2015 General ‘Elections’ for example, made the list of most searched events of the year, right behind the top ranking ‘Xenophobia Attacks’ in South Africa, which startled the world in April. Third on the list of Top 10 occurrences in Nigeria is the report on the arrest of pro-Biafra activist and Director of Radio Biafra, ‘Nnamdi Kanu’. The much anticipated, controversial Fight of the Century between ‘Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather’ isn’t left out of the list, although apparently outshone in the minds of Football-loving Nigerians by the ‘Under-17 World Cup’, which lies 4th on the list.

Despite the global buzz which followed ‘Bruce Jenner’s transgender revelation, Nigerians appeared to have been more fascinated by the stories surrounding President ‘Muhammadu Buhari’. Interest in the lifestyle and personality of Nigeria’s Head of State peaked during the presidential elections, placing him in second position on the list of people Nigerians searched. Topping the list is Nigerian actor, ‘Muna Obiekwe’ who passed away in January.

Nigerians’ pride in the country’s hugely popular entertainment industry is evident in the list of top trending songs with the founder of YBNL Nation, and rave of the moment, ‘Olamide’, taking pole position on the search list for Nigerian musicians and his hit track ‘Melo Melo’ leading the pack of top 10 trending songs, leaving Adele’s ‘Hello’ lying fourth behind Kiss Daniel’s ‘Woju remix’ and Olamide’s ‘Bobo’.

Top Searches in the Sports category were however dominated by Barclays Premier League Clubs ‘Arsenal FC’; ‘Chelsea FC’ and ‘Manchester United’. Thanks to the blackmail scandal hovering around him, Real Madrid and France striker ‘Karim Benzema’ makes the list of top sports personalities, behind ‘Pedro’, ‘Arda Turan’ and ‘Anthony Martial’.

The “Year-In-Search” lists are Google’s annual look at the billions of searches performed throughout the year. Year-In-Search uses data from multiple sources while filtering out spam and repeat queries, to build more than 1,000 fascinating top-ten lists across pop culture, sports, music, politics, news, and more. To see more information about Google’s Year in Search across the globe and to watch our annual video, visit google.com/2015.

Most Searched Event Queries in Nigeria

1. Xenophobia in South Africa

2. Elections

3. Nnamdi Kanu Arrest

4. Under 17 World Cup

5. Charlie Hebdo Attack

6. Mayweather Vs Pacquiao

7. Muna Obiekwe Dead

8. Ooni of Ife Dead

9. Lara Fortes and Oshiomhole Wedding

10. Diezani Alison Madueke Arrest

Top Trending Persons in Nigeria

1.    Muna Obiekwe

2.    Muhammadu Buhari

3.    Lamar Odom

4.    Bruce Jenner

5.    Bobbi Kristina

6.    Nnamdi Kanu

7.    Bukola Saraki

8.    Jidenna

9.    Kiss Daniel

10.   Attahiru Jega

Top Trending Musicians in Nigeria

1.    Olamide

2.    Kiss Daniel

3.    Lil Kesh

4.    Phyno

5.    Falz

6.    Flavour

7.    Iyanya

8.    Timi Dakolo

9.    Don Jazzy

10.   Chidinma

Top Trending Songs in Nigeria

1.    Melo-Melo-Olamide

2.    Woju Remix-Kiss Daniel ft Davido & Tiwa Savage

3.    Bobo-Olamide

4.    Hello-Adele

5.    Woju-Kiss Daniel

6.    Shakiti Bobo-Olamide

7.    Fans Mi-Davido ft .Meek Mill

8.    Godwin –Korede Bello

9.    Laye-Kiss Daniel

10.   Ojuelegba Remix-Wizkid ft. Drake &Skepta

Most Searched Sports Personalities in Nigeria

1.    Pedro

2.    Arda Turan

3.    Anthony Martial

4.    Karim Benzema

5.    Peter Cech

6.    Memphis Depay

7.    Gabriel Paulista

8.    Sergio Ramos

9.    Matteo Darmain

10.   Sunday Oliseh