Obasanjo’s Internet – Richard Ogundiya

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, Journalist and Multimedia Consultant, Richard Ogundiya, talks to us about how he uses Obasanjo’s Internet. 

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

I mostly pray, then I check my phone before I get out of bed.

How do you use the internet for work or pleasure?

I’d say both. Sometimes I may be using it for pleasure but it still counts as work. Most of my work is largely dependent on the internet.

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

The EndSARS period. You know how people always say Twitter is not real life? But we actually started a movement from Twitter. We all came out on the streets and even though we didn’t get our desired result, it showed that whatever we do online has ripple effects offline. 

On the first day of the protest, we were about 100 or 150 people in the morning, but at night we increased to around 1,000 people. This outcome was from tweeting about it and posting photos, which encouraged people to come out. It was a very “are you for real?” moment. Since then I’ve learnt to fear the internet. 

Your favourite social media platform and why?

I really hate to say this and I never used to admit it, but it’s Twitter. I joined Threads a few days ago and I was like “nah, what are you people doing here?” The conversations for me were really off. I’m not trying to sound condescending but it just felt like instagram, but in text. There was nothing intellectual about it. Like bare conversations here and there and it just wasn’t my vibe. 

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?

I think it was sometime in 2011. I was still doing my IT (a programme where year 3 University students get work experience) as a Lab Scientist at an all girls school. It would just be me in the lab most times ’cause I limited my interaction with students, so I was bored that day.  Africa Magic was running an ad for a show I wanted to watch on a new Africa Magic channel and I thought “how many channels do these people want to have? ” So I posted something like “Africa Magic will have an executive meeting to increase the quantity of their content, next thing, they’ll divide their channels by 10.” I was just yarning. I think I got like 2,000 retweets on that day and multiple likes. My phone was buzzing throughout the day and I got chills because this was the first time I had a banger tweet. I just wish I got something out of it cause at the end of the day I was like “what next”? I cant believe there is no real life exchange. Like do you mean after this banger tweet I get nothing? Not even free food. 

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

This is very recent and it taught me to use the internet in a different way. Before, I was like an internet darling. Almost everyone who followed me liked my opinions and what I posted. 

During the election period I tweeted something about Seyi Tinubu earning his place as governor of Lagos. If he ever becomes governor, I’m not going to subscribe to the idea that nepotism was the driving force. I acknowledge there’s that privilege, but he is also a very hardworking politician. Most people didn’t see it from my perspective, especially people who just tweet at politicians and are not real life grass root politicians. I’ve never been so cooked in my life. I remember I had just come out of a meeting and I saw 400 and something notifications on my Twitter badge and I was shocked. I couldn’t see a lot of the quotes – and that’s when you know that you’re really being cooked. 

Friends started calling and asking me to take the tweet down. And I’m like why am I going to take it down? I literally spoke my mind. That day I lost followers and got blocked by accounts I looked up to but I was like “yeah it’s okay mehn”. I’m not going to be part of a mob mentality or people not being able to express themselves. Obviously there are very foolish opinions on the internet but not agreeing with someone’s opinion especially when it does not cross a line of violence or abuse doesn’t warrant nasty comments. That day I understood other people who have gone through this. I’ve learnt to at least tolerate and show sympathy first or at least try to see things from their perspective before I insult them – even though I’m not like that.

What rules do you live by on the internet?

Everybody will chop breakfast eventually. The internet is just like a public square where it’s almost like we’re passing judgement on people’s lives. Yesterday we were arguing about someone being a deadbeat father, the day before that we were arguing about someone being an abuser. Next tomorrow it may just be about someone’s foolish actions. At the end of the day, we are all learning. Nobody is perfect. The same person who is passing out judgment may be the person under fire tomorrow. Eventually it will touch everybody.

What is your guiltiest online pleasure?

I have this very weird account I follow on Instagram and Tiktok. It is called “fascinated by fungi”. Every time my friends see me watching the videos, they’re like “guy you watch anything, how are you even sitting down and watching bacteria?” But they never understand because it’s from a very colourful perfective – things you don’t even know exist. Very odd things give me pleasure on the internet. Things that I don’t even interact with in real life.

Would you say you have an online persona?

Not necessarily, but I know most people who follow me online follow me because of my work, opinions on politics and all of that. It kind of feels serious but also not serious at the same time.

What’s your favourite emoji and why?

🙌🏾 because it’s kind of what I do in real life, especially in my estate when I’m out and guys are hailing me, I hail them back. When someone calls me boss, I reply to them with chairman. Before they bill me, I block it. I do it to my friends too.

Are you particular about your feed?

Yes. I don’t know how to use the mute or block button, that’s why I don’t get it when people block others. I’d rather just unfollow the person. I only follow pages whose content I genuinely like. I’m always curating my feed. 

YouTube or TikTok? Which do you prefer and why?

I just joined Tiktok like 3 months ago so I’m not used to it yet. All I know is that every time I’m on Tiktok I end up spending more time than I intended to. But I’ll say I prefer YouTube. I watch YouTube every day. 

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

Layi Wasabi. Layi’s skits are well thought out and planned. There are puns in it and it’s left to you to start uncovering. You also learn one or two things, and although it’s not every time you learn, you still have to give credit to him for speaking about social issues. For example, the whole MMM Ponzi scheme that Nigerians routinely fall victim to but don’t talk about. It’s good he’s educating a lot of people with skits.

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

I follow many cool accounts, but I’ll just name a few.

Mostly on Twitter, I’ll say Andrew Afalli, a finance guy whose opinions I like. 

Asemota, a tech investor. 

Ozzy Etomi and Odun Eweniyi cause I like chaos too and Ozzy always brings the fire. 

The coolest person who follows me is really tricky. I’d say FK Abudu but she doesn’t tweet like that anymore. But I remember I was really excited when she followed me.

What is your favourite Nigerian podcast?

I Said What I Said, for sure. 

Have you ever hooked up with someone you met online? Did you regret it?

Yes, severally. I don’t think I’ve ever regretted it because before I text you online it means that I already liked what I saw. Before I take that gamble, I’m sure about it. 

5 people you’d love to see answer these questions

Adedayo Laketu and Nasir Ahmed, my co-founders at More Branches.  Omotayo Coker. Folu at 49th Street and Jimdfirst.