Damilare Oluwasegun, known as Asiri, Maryam Apaokagi (Taooma), Chude Jideonwo and Jubril Arogundade were among the Nigerian creatives honoured at the TIME 100 Awards held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel. The event celebrated global changemakers for influence, impact and sustained relevance, drawing industry leaders and innovators from around the world. Asiri delivered the keynote address, stating, "Relevance does not happen to people who ask for permission. Relevance is a battle for space." He stressed that influence is not accidental and urged individuals to claim their space boldly. Taooma spoke on the value of authenticity and consistency in building a loyal digital audience, advising creators to stay true to their voice while growing with their followers. Jideonwo highlighted storytelling as a force for cultural transformation and social impact. Arogundade emphasized ownership and strategic positioning in the media landscape. The speakers collectively underscored that relevance is actively built through clarity, courage and consistency.
Asiri calls relevance a battle for space while accepting an award at a global event hosted in Lagos, raising the question of who truly controls the platforms Nigerian creatives fight for. The same figures urging ownership operate within systems dominated by foreign media brands and elite gatekeepers. Their advice to claim space rings hollow when access to such stages depends on global validation. For most young creators, the battle is not for relevance but for visibility on someone else's platform.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
