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, Radio and Tv Broadcaster, Lanre Shonubi talks to us about how he uses Obasanjo’s Internet.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Lately, I’ve been asking myself that question cause why do I do what I do when I wake up in the morning? The first thing I do is get my phone and check all my messages and then I find myself in one rabbit hole either on Twitter or Tiktok.
How do you use the internet for work or pleasure?
I use it for both but mostly for work.
What moment or episode in your life would you say captured the essence of the internet?
I would say my BBC job. Before I came to the UK, I found a presenter, who used to work at Leicester, her name is Aminata. I used to work at a radio station in Nigeria, so I reached out to her and got her to listen to my show, while I listened to hers.
Now, I come to Birmingham UK and Aminata introduces me to Rakeem, who works at BBC Birmingham. And all of this was on the internet. Rakeem then invites me to BBC Birmingham, I co-host a show for 2 episodes and after that, he sends me a link to a job opportunity at the BBC and boom! Every time I think about it, I’m like it all started on the internet.
Your favourite social media platform and why?
It has to be Instagram. The thing with Instagram is a lot of people don’t like Instagram, but I like it ‘cause once you find a person, for example, Aminta’s Instagram, – I’m about to sound like a stalker – all I need to do is go through her page to look at who is commenting on her page, I click on that person’s account, check through their page, do the same and it just takes me through a tunnel. You see who she’s parting with and tagging then you see the person is the head of BBC, the owner of a magazine, it’s just like a network that pulls you through.
Even for the record label I work at, I get to research new media personalities, agencies, writers and all of that comes from just clicking on one person’s account. It’s just a very nice tunnel, instagram is beautiful.
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?
Yes, on TikTok. I have a video on TikTok that has 400k views, and it’s not even me in the video, it’s Real House Wives of Lagos. I cut out some parts of it and added effects and it went viral. I didn’t even know it was viral until I started seeing people tag me as a source of the video. It didn’t give me any money, so it didn’t make me feel happy. I was just like okay, I’m viral.
What’s the most outrage you have ever generated over something you posted? How did you react to it?
I think it’ll be my takes on religion. I really don’t fuck with a lot of ideologies of supposed men of God. I don’t understand what they’re doing, especially in Nigeria. I’m very vocal about it because my dad was a pastor and I can just see through the BS. When I post about religion, people just go off and say I should keep quiet, and that I don’t know what I’m saying. It is what it is. They are the crazy ones and I’m sane.
What rules do you live by on the internet?
First of all, it’s the internet, don’t take it too seriously. People are looking for clout and everyone on the internet wants to be the next viral sensation, so just laugh and go.
Secondly, make the internet work for you. Look for a way to get something out of these platforms you spend so much time on. Be intentional about getting something out of the internet.
What is your guiltiest online pleasure?
Mine would be downloading every game that they advertise. I don’t even play the games. I’ll watch it for five seconds and be like this looks nice, then download it. Another one would be stalking for work.
Would you say you have an online persona?
No, I don’t. I’m the same way. If you read my captions, you can tell that I try to put myself into it. So if I’m tweeting, it’s literally what I’m thinking. My social media accounts are very personal to me.
What’s your favourite emoji and why?
⚡️ On the radio, I’m called the radio god and I’m embracing that name ‘cause I’m actually killing that shit. It looks like a god-like emoji.
🔥 Just ‘cause a lot of things I say on the internet are fire.
Are you particular about your feed?
Yes, I curate my feed on Instagram. For stories, all I see is new music from new artists or news about exhibitions. I did that by only following people whose content I want to see and by also engaging with their content. My TL is for publications and fashion. While my explore page is majorly for fashion and art.
It’s curated this way ‘cause I don’t want to be seeing just anything. As long as Instagram is taking my time, I will also collect from it.
YouTube or TikTok? Which do you prefer and why?
YouTube because it’s very unassuming. You’ll think you are in control, next thing you’ve opened 15 tabs, ‘cause all you need to do on YouTube is to look at the suggestions and you’ll start seeing videos that you didn’t think even think of.
I like it for learning purposes as well. A lot of things I’ve learnt about networking and the music industry, I literally went on YouTube to type “how to be an A&R, how to be the best A&R in the world, and how to be a radio presenter. ”
TikTok just brings a lot of madness to my ‘for you’ page.
Which Nigerian creator do you think the world needs to see and hear more of?
SweetOpe and Meshkiey. SweetOpe is a presenter and Tiktokker while Meshkiey does amazing wordplay.
Who is the coolest person you follow and the coolest person who follows you?
The coolest person I follow is my best friend. I like the way his page is very minimalistic but he’s got a picture with an icon.
The coolest person who follows me right now is Ayra Starr.
What is your favourite Nigerian podcast?
Baegist by Itty and Tosin.
Have you ever hooked up with someone you met online?
Yes, I have.
5 people you’d love to see answer these questions
SweetOpe, Toyosi Diya, Elle Erinle, RemyBurgz and Itty.