Over the last couple of years, Demilade Akingbe has created content around food and culture, which captures the soul of Lagos. This has helped her make the transition into a full-time content creator whose impact has steadily compounded. This forms the backdrop of her feature on Obasanjo’s Internet.
Who are you? What do you do?
I am Demilade Akingbe and I am a content creator and a small business owner. I own My Friend’s House, and I like making cooking videos on the internet.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Can’t lie, the first thing I do is check my phone. The order of the apps I open depends on the notification number. So sometimes it’s WhatsApp to see messages I missed, but most times it’s TikTok. I do like posting a video right before I go to bed, so I can wake up to funny comments to read
What’s the last thing you do on your phone before bed?
Doom scrolling. I am so addicted to TikTok, it’s insane. But the last thing I do is usually scroll on TikTok.
What’s the app you open the most without thinking?
TikTok for sure! Ugh, I need a support group
Would you say you have an online persona? What’s it, and how did you arrive at it?
Yes, I definitely think I have an online persona. It’s different on different apps, though. I think I am more myself on TikTok. That’s because I don’t always think before I post. So I’ll be doing something, and just put my phone up and start recording. I haven’t done anything stupid yet
How do you use the internet: for work or pleasure?
Since content creation is my job, I guess I use it for work. I do get inspired by the videos I am watching and use that to help come up with video ideas.
What rules do you live by on the internet?
I never post from an open wound, only a healed scar. In the same way, we all learnt not to tweet through our emotions, you don’t post anything online while your emotions are high. Even when I’m really happy or excited, I try not to post until I’ve thought about what I want to share first.
What moment or episode in your life would you say captured the essence of the internet?
I think this current episode of life captures the essence of the internet. We are all online, sharing our lives and our interests. The point of the internet is to bring people closer no? Introduce you to new things. That is currently what is happening in my life.
Do you remember the first time something you posted went viral? What was it, and how did it make you feel?
I think the first time I went viral was YEARS ago when I tweeted about my first year in Lagos, and it ended up on Linda Ikeji’s blog. I tweeted about how I’d just moved back, and in those 4 months, I had walked down Ozumba at midnight, been ejected from a moving keke, a guy removed my wig while trying to flirt with me, and something else I can’t remember now. But it went viral, and that’s when I realised just how many people are online.
What’s the most outrage you have ever generated over something you posted? How did you react to it?
I made an INNOCENT video reviewing bottled water in Lagos, and I said Eva was the nicest. Oh. My. Gosh. The hate that I received?? It was so weird because most people on TikTok knew it was a joke and didn’t take it seriously when I said “in my expert opinion” but someone reposted the video on instagram and on Twitter/X and people on those apps were not having it. They insulted me, my videos, my clothes, my accent… it was a lot. Over bottled water.
What’s your favourite social media platform? Why?
TikTok is just so much fun. Especially once you get the algorithm right.
YouTube or TikTok? Which do you prefer and why?
TikTok, I feel closer to the creators
What was the last meme you saved?
I don’t save memes 🙁
What is your guiltiest online pleasure?
Toenail extraction videos
What was the last rabbit hole you fell into?
Prison TikTok – did you know that you can make bread in a prison toilet?
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned online recently?
How anchors work to hold big ships in place (there was a very educational song)
What’s a corner of the internet you’re obsessed with right now?
Mormon tiktok
Which Nigerian creator do you think the world needs to see and hear more of?
Salem King
Who is the coolest person you follow, and the coolest person who follows you?
(From the last time I checked) OMG, the coolest people that follow me have to be Dimma and Dodos! Because what do you mean, the girlies I have watched from afar are now watching me? Honestly, if I could start every video with “Dimma, are you still there?” or “Dodos, did you see my last post?” I would
What is your favourite Nigerian podcast?
Totally On Brand!!
Have you ever hooked up with someone you met online?
SCREAMING!!! Like from social media or a dating app? Anyways, yes to both
Five people you’d love to see answer these questions.
Salem King, Dimmah, Dodos, Nicole Chikwe, Layi Wasabi.
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