Google top search trends 2019: From ASUU strike to Naira Marley to Xenophobia to Big Brother Nigeria

With the year coming to an end, Google, in its annual ‘Year in Search’ publication, has revealed what Nigerians have searched for in 2019.

The data is collated by looking at Google searches on the major moments and top trends in Nigeria over a sustained period in 2019.

This year’s trending news search shows that the ASUU strike, which occurred between November 2018 and February 2019, ranked first. It overtook trending news topics like AFCON 2019, Naira Marley — a Nigerian music artiste — and the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

Naira Marley was the most searched person of 2019 with even the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, unable to dethrone him in an election year. His position at the top might be attributable to his alleged involvement in cyberfraud and his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His song, ‘Am I a Yahoo Boy?’, released just before he got arrested no doubt played a part in piquing people’s interest, consequently leading to more searches.

Following the fresh xenophobic attacks by South Africans in Pretoria Central Business District (CBD) reportedly as a result of the murder of a taxi driver by Tanzania nationals, “What is xenophobia?” was 2019’s most searched question. “What is ruga?” — Rural Grazing Area — and “What is terrorism?” also made the most searched questions list.

It was a big year for the reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, as the first female winner — Mercy Eke — and Anita Natacha Akide (Tacha) were among the five most tweeted about housemates over the 99 days the show aired.

For trending actors in 2019, the news of Regina Daniels’ marriage to Ned Nwoko early in the year helped knock off Genevieve Nnaji as the most searched actor. It also ranked higher than searches for other actors like Tonto Dikeh and Hadiza Gabon, among others.

Nigerian music artistes, Wizkid, Davido, and Olamide, maintained their positions on the list from 2018 for the top trending songs, with Burna Boy making it to the list this year.

Here is the compilation of Google’s trends in Nigeria for 2019.

Top Trending People

Naira Marley

Atiku

Neymar

MC Oluomo

Rema

Cameron Boyce

XXXtentacion

Teni

Nipsey Hussle

DJ Arafat

Top Trending Sports People

Neymar

Emiliano Sala

David Luiz

Bruno Fernandes

Higuaín

Nicolas Pepe

Tammy Abraham

Denis Suarez

Daniel James

Isaac Promise

Top Trending Actors

Regina Daniels

Genevieve Nnaji

Tonto Dikeh

Hadiza Gabon

Ini Edo

Eniola Badmus

Iyabo Ojo

Femi Adebayo

Ken Erics

Toyin Aimakhu

Top Trending Songs

Joro – Wizkid

Dangote – Burna Boy

Brown Skin Girl – Beyoncé, Wizkid, St Jhn

Woske – Olamide

Pawon – Olamide

Risky – Davido

Billionaire – Teni

Oil and Gas – Olamide

Uyo Meyo – Teni

Blow my mind – Davido, Chris Brown

Top Trending Movies/TV Shows

Big Brother Naija

Mehek

Captain Marvel

When they see us

Aquaman

Shazam

Game of Thrones Season 8

Money Heist

John Wick 3

Avengers Endgame

You can visit Google’s trends sites for more information about Google’s Year in Search across the world.