Aanu Adeoye is a journalist at a major newspaper and author working on his debut nonfiction book about Africa’s emerging geopolitics. Here, he takes us through his use of the internet as both a tool for work and a distraction to be avoided.
Who are you? What do you do?
Who am I? What a philosophical question. I am Aanu Adeoye. I put words next to each other for a living. I work for a newspaper you may have heard of, and I’ve just started work on my debut book — a nonfiction about the emerging geopolitics of Africa featuring some thrilling characters.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
I check my emails and catch up on the news from the previous night, usually stuff from the US.
What’s the last thing you do on your phone before bed?
I put my phone on sleep mode
What’s the app you open the most without thinking?
Safari. I no longer have Twitter on my phone, I’ve never had TikTok, and Instagram and I are in an on-and-off relationship, so I usually delete it every time I have to do focused work.
Would you say you have an online persona? What’s it, and how did you arrive at it?
I don’t think I have an online persona, although if you follow me online, it’s easy to see that I’m a journalist who shares a lot of the stuff I’ve written or read and that I enjoy sports. I guess you could say that’s my persona. I’ve always had the vibe of a middle-aged man, even when I was in my 20s, and that reflects in my online persona. I have reduced my Twitter usage by a lot over the past year, and that’s where most of my personality shone through with quips about politics, sports, comedy and journalism. RIP Twitter, you were loved.
How do you use the internet: for work or pleasure?
Both. I use the internet — as we all do — for work, to stay abreast of developments and to develop contacts. But I also use it for pleasure, I’m obsessed with YouTube, for example and pay for the premium version. Once you taste life without YouTube ads, you can never go back.
What rules do you live by on the internet?
Don’t be stupid and don’t overshare. We know way too much about each other’s lives on the internet, and I think we should all try to do less of that. I also believe strongly in avoiding being stupid on the internet — because nothing ends on the internet. There is almost always a spillover into real life because the internet is pretty much an extension of daily life anyway.
What moment or episode in your life would you say captured the essence of the internet?
There isn’t one particular moment, but my entire career has been a testament to the essence of the internet, which, to my mind, is democratizing access. I started a personal blog in 2011 as a 17-year-old analysing football, and pretty much every opportunity I’ve had has taken off from there.
Do you remember the first time something you posted went viral? What was it, and how did it make you feel?
I didn’t post this, but I was on a current affairs show on Al-Jazeera recently. And my quizzical look in response to something said by the guest of the show — Daniel Bwala — went viral. I missed most of the viral bit because I’m not on the internet as much anymore. But a lot of my friends sent me stuff. I thought it was funny and a reminder of how little control we have over our images once they’re out there. I ended up writing about the experience.
What’s the most outrage you have ever generated over something you posted? How did you react to it?
It’s usually related to my work and less about anything I post online. Over the last few years, as I’ve covered the maddening world of African (and Nigerian) politics, I’ve had lots of people piling on when they disagree with a take. In the lead-up to the 2023 Nigerian election, someone was so mad at a piece I’d written that they posted my profile picture at the time and called me a drug addict. I wrote something earlier this year and received a strongly-worded email that called me a disgrace and used other colourful language. The most important thing is that they’re reading, to be honest.. I mostly log off and go touch grass. It’s partly why I don’t have Twitter on my phone anymore and use it very sparingly these days.
What’s your favourite social media platform? Why?
YouTube (and yes, I’m counting YouTube as a social media platform, because it is). The depth of knowledge you can find there is amazing. Do I want to watch an old clip of an African President visiting China or the Soviet Union for the first time? It’s on YouTube. Or do I want to watch the best of Roger Federer’s one-handed backhand shots or all of Thierry Henry’s UCL goals? It’s there. Sure, you can find bits and bobs of these things elsewhere, but as a repository of knowledge, it’s unmatched. One of my colleagues once wrote a column about YouTube that I highly recommend.
YouTube or TikTok? Which do you prefer and why?
See above. I don’t even have a TikTok account. I’ll never forget this: the first time someone asked me if I knew about TikTok, in 2019, I confidently replied, “Yes, that Bloomberg show” (it’s now been rebranded as QuickTake by Bloomberg), which tells you about my vibe on the internet.
What was the last meme you saved?
What is your guiltiest online pleasure?
It has to be listening to true crime. One of my few podcast subscriptions is to Dateline, so I can listen early and ad-free!
What was the last rabbit hole you fell into?
I’ve been reading lots of news coverage about the Epstein Files data dump. It’s hard to miss at this point. I remember reading coverage of his arrest and death in 2019 and thinking that would be the end of it. But look at the blast radius of it now, six years later. So many powerful people have lost either their jobs, reputation or both, and it’s now a big part of US politics.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned online recently?
Mostly just trying new recipes through NYT Cooking.
What’s a corner of the internet you’re obsessed with right now?
The world of interior design. I watch a lot of stuff about tasteful home design on YouTube on channels like Never Too Small, The Modern House and many others. And I follow quite a few accounts doing similar stuff on Instagram.
Which Nigerian creator do you think the world needs to see and hear more of?
I don’t follow that many creators in the traditional sense. But the Culture Custodian does lots of amazing work, and the world needs to see and hear more from you guys!
Who is the coolest person you follow, and the coolest person who follows you?
I’m not sure about the “coolest” person I follow, but I absolutely enjoy following the work of the comedian Kevin Bridges. He’s so funny, and I lap up every snippet he puts out online. A bucket list item is to watch him live.
Max Siollun follows me on Twitter, which is…just fun!
What is your favourite Nigerian podcast?
Submarine and a Roach
Have you ever hooked up with someone you met online?
My mother is reading this.
Five people you’d love to see answer these questions.
Chimamanda Adichie, Ope Adedeji, Dipo Faloyin, Trevor Noah, Ore Ogunbiyi
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