TikTok has officially rolled out the full roster of nominees for the 2025 TikTok Awards Sub-Saharan Africa, set to light up Johannesburg, South Africa, on 6 December 2025. The annual celebration spotlights the creators, artists, and digital innovators shaping the platform’s cultural pulse across the region.
Nigeria has secured a massive chunk of the nominations, turning the Sub-Saharan Africa awards into what feels like a home game. From the streets of TikTok to the global stage, Nigerian creators are proving that content creation is our new oil. We are exporting vibes, knowledge, and pure, unfiltered joy.
Leading the charge is the Plutoman himself, Shallipopi (@theycallmeshallipopipp). Nominated for Artist of the Year, he represents the new school of Nigerian sound—unapologetic, infectious, and viral by nature. He isn’t just making music; he’s curating a lifestyle.
But the authentic MVP of this list might be Belove Olocha (@beloveolocha). Scoring a double nomination in the Entertainment Creator and Storyteller of the Year categories, she embodies the Nigerian spirit of multitasking excellence. She’s giving us range—making us laugh one minute and keeping us glued to a story the next.
1. The Storytellers & Entertainers Nigerians are natural-born storytellers (we’ve been doing it since the days of Tales by Moonlight), and the nominees reflect that oral tradition upgraded for the digital age.
Edna Francis and Ike God are holding it down for pure entertainment.
Brian Nwana and Joy Giver Kitchen are redefining how we consume narratives, whether it’s through food or daily chronicles.
2. The “Sabinus” of Knowledge (Education & Impact) It’s not all dance challenges. We are teaching the continent, too.
Izzi Boye (@izziboye) is the tech guru making gadgets make sense.
Diary of a Northern Cook (@diaryofanortherncook) is showcasing the culinary heritage of the North with aesthetic precision.
OlawaleMD and Noositi Wantiwa are in the Social Impact category, proving that Gen Z cares deeply about community and change.
3. The Rising Stars The pipeline is healthy. Esther Francis (@estherfrancisbackup) and Isaac Samz (@isaac.samz) are proof that the next generation is already here, and they are hungry.
The 2025 edition recognises standout talents whose content has dominated timelines this year—spanning music, entertainment, food, sports, education, storytelling, and more. TikTok says the awards were designed to honour the creative force of African storytellers and their growing influence on global digital culture.
This is your moment. Every Nigerian with a smartphone—vote now. Only aggressive, united action will secure our place as the best. Take five minutes, cast your vote, and rally your friends. The world is watching. Let’s dominate the leaderboard and show what Nigeria is made of.
Voting is now live and will run until 14 November (midnight CAT). Users can cast one vote per category each day through the official voting portal. The platform is also urging fans to rally behind their favourites by following TikTok’s regional channels and posting with the hashtag #TikTokAwardsSSA.
We have the numbers. We have the passion. It’s time to mobilise. Voting ends November 14—let’s claim every plaque and bring them all home to Lagos. Do your part: vote, spread the word, and make history.
Here are the creators who truly captured the spirit of 2025.
Creator of the year
@diaryofanortherncook (Sokoto, Nigeria)
@chefabbys (Accra, Ghana)
@fanstribehq (Lagos, Nigeria)
@shandorlarenty (Broederstroom, South Africa)
@englishwithclem (Nairobi, Kenya)
Storyteller of the year
@beloveolocha (Lagos, Nigeria)
@briannwana (Abuja, Nigeria)
@mikemortontalksfootball (Cape Town, South Africa)
@joygiverkitchen (Lagos, Nigeria)
Video of the year
@iamdavidmubiru (Kampala, Uganda)
@zerobrainer0 (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)
@isaac.samz (Lagos, Nigeria)
Rising star of the year
@estherfrancisbackup (Lagos, Nigeria)
@_bafanamthembu (Johannesburg, South Africa)
@tunero_animations (Nairobi, Kenya)
Entertainment creator of the year
@beloveolocha (Lagos, Nigeria)
@ednafrancis_ (Lagos, Nigeria)
@finding.chance (Johannesburg, South Africa)
@ikegod.chielo (Abuja, Nigeria)
@jabu_macdonald (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Food creator of the year
@mpruedie1 (Midrand, South Africa)
@malumfoodie (Pretoria, South Africa)
@chefabbys (Accra, Ghana)
@georges_kitchen (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)
@boyz_makekii (Nairobi, Kenya)
Education creator of the year
@michelle_expert (Randburg, South Africa)
@izziboye (Lagos, Nigeria)
@roy.kanyi (Nairobi, Kenya)
@englishwithclem (Nairobi, Kenya)
Social impact creator of the year
@olawalesmd (Lagos, Nigeria)
@valerie_keter (Nairobi, Kenya)
@anitasoina (Nairobi, Kenya)
@noositiwantiwa_ (Ibadan, Nigeria)
@ufarm_julia (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)
Artist of the year
@theycallmeshallipopipp (Nigeria)
@itsjoshuabaraka (Uganda)
@moliymusic (Ghana)
@realjazzwrld (South Africa)
Sports Creator of the year
@boxtoboxregista (Nairobi, Kenya)
@zozasportscast (Nairobi, Kenya)
@mikemortontalksfootball (Cape Town, South Africa)
@steph_talks_football (Cape Town, South Africa)
@ademolavictortv (Lagos, Nigeria)
