Obasanjo’s Internet – Ifeoma Nwobu

Did you know that there are approximately 4.66 billion active internet users worldwide? Can you imagine all the different ways in which we all use the internet? Obasanjo’s Internet is our interview series where we speak to some of our internet favourites on how they relate to the internet and what it means to them and their work. This week, Ifeoma Nwobu, entrepreneur and co-founder of mobility tech startup Sendstack talks to us about how she uses Obasanjo’s Internet. 

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

I either brush my teeth or try to say a word of prayer. 

How do you use the internet for work or pleasure? 

It’s a mix of both depending on the medium. If it’s social media, it’s work and pleasure but if it’s LinkedIn or Emails obviously that’s work. I’d say 60% work 40% pleasure or 70% to 30%. 

 What moment or episode in your life would you say captured the essence of the internet?

Omo. I don’t think I have one and that comes from living in the internet era my whole life – it’s one of those things you’ve seen finish. If I lived in the era of no internet and then came into it, it’d probably feel like a discovery. I think when you’re used to it, getting an opportunity through the internet seems pretty normal. So no, I don’t think there has been any wow moment, but I’m looking forward to that.

Your favourite social media platform and why?

I actually don’t have a favourite one, they are all pretty exhausting. But for what it’s worth, I like YouTube. It’s like an archive of many cool things. As someone who is spiritual, I listen to sermons that were preached years ago but still speak to things that I’ll probably face or have to deal with tomorrow or next year. It’s pretty powerful to have an archive of things like that. YouTube is a school of its own where you learn whatever you choose to. It makes it so easy to access resources. Even when I was in university, Indian YouTube guys were better teachers than some of my lecturers. Also, the fact that literally anyone can be such a valuable contributor makes it very interesting. 

I used to like Twitter but it has become very exhausting. I mostly use Twitter for the Twitter circle feature where I’m tweeting to a trusted audience. I like Instagram because it’s very easily monetizable. There are all these different platforms that I use for different things.

What was the last meme you saved?

Do you remember the first time something you posted went viral? What was it? How did it make you feel?

That would be hard because it’s mostly pictures of me either in a really nice outfit or just being myself – people think I’m a fine girl and I agree with them. But I remember specifically during the election period, we were all seeing the usual madness that was happening. I tweeted something about prayer because regardless of the efforts people put into that period, it seemed like we were battling with powers and principalities and omo, these people wanted to fight me because of that tweet. I was like “please and please I’m not the cause of your problems don’t lash out at me”. So yeah, there are times when just very random things go very viral, and that’s one reason I don’t like Twitter. People don’t relax or even try to get context, they just talk. 

What’s the most outrage you have ever generated over something you posted? How did you react to it?

I’m a very peaceful person – I think it’s very important to establish – but people are very angry and I understand that. I don’t get a lot of outrage so to say, but when it does happen I ignore it completely. I don’t even try to explain what I meant. More often than not the people who say these things cannot repeat it if you meet them in person, so it’s like why enter mud with them? My brand is one of peace and love 

What rules do you live by on the internet?

To not share everything that comes to mind and this is not just in relation to hot takes. I see some questions on the internet like “what’s your biggest family secret?”  or “what was your mother’s maiden name?” and people respond to them. 

I believe that even some parts of your life that are not harmful (the good vibes) should be held sacred. Holding things sacred is a culture we really seem to be losing out on and I used to be guilty of this, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure there are people who have probably known me since 2010 who know I used to be a little notorious on the internet. But everything that goes on the internet stays on the internet in one way or another even when you delete your tweets, so we need to be very careful. People should also try the old school way of journaling thoughts or reserving conversation to just close friends or family.

What is your guiltiest online pleasure?

I don’t find a particular skit maker hilarious, but there are times I binge-watch videos from skit makers for a good laugh – you know that kind of laughter that you throw your legs up in the air? 

Would you say you have an online persona?

Yes I do, but it’s not that different from my in-person persona. I think everybody has different things they want to amplify on different platforms, to different people. On Instagram, you’ll probably find me being a soft babe, funny girl, sometimes a career woman, but on Twitter I’m just myself, tweeting thoughts or opinions about certain things.  

What’s your favourite emoji and why?

. Cause my mood is just “please abeg. Please I no get strength, abeg”.

Are you particular about your feed?

On Instagram, yes because I get money from there sometimes and I just like things being neat. I don’t like being all over the place and I like it to be about me. You see some people have text-based content but if I wanted that I’d probably be on medium writing. My Instagram is very me but on Twitter it’s whatever I feel like should go out that I’ll tweet. 

YouTube or TikTok? Which do you prefer and why?

YouTube because there was a “firstcomers” advantage honestly. TikTok came out when I started feeling like there were too many social media platforms and I’ve also heard how addictive it is. I don’t think I can add it to the things I’m currently battling with. 

Which Nigerian creator do you think the world needs to see and hear more of?

Apart from myself, definitely Ezinne Zara and Salem King.

Who is the coolest person you follow and the coolest person who follows you?

That’s a hard question because I only follow people I sort of know. On Instagram, the coolest person I follow is Pastor Emmanuel Iren and Deborah Paul Enenche. Deborah follows me on Instagram but Pastor Iren follows me on Twitter 

There are plenty cool people who follow me.

What is your favourite Nigerian podcast?

I actually don’t have one. I struggle to listen to podcasts where they’re just talking. I only listen to sermon podcasts. 

Have you ever hooked up with someone you met online?

I don’t do hookups please o. I’m a child of God, thank you.

5 people you’d love to see answer these questions

Kennedy Ekezie, Ifedayo Peters, Temi Salami, my sister Onyeka Nwobu and Kelvin Omechukwu. 

Read previous Obasanjo’s Internet entries here.