Trendupp Awards

Trendupp Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognizes achievements in the social media community in Nigeria. It honors content creators, influencers, brands, and organizations that have made notable contributions to the Nigerian social media landscape through innovative movements, campaigns, projects, and content. Trendupp Awards is organized by Trendupp Africa, which was established by Tiwalola Olanubi.

History
The Trendupp Awards, themed annually as 'The Force of Influence,' were established in 2021 to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian social media space. These awards primarily recognize content creators, influencers, and brands for their consistent impact on the social media community through content, projects, and engaging campaigns on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. In its inaugural edition in 2021, the awards received approximately 91,000 nominations across sixteen categories, with 96 nominees and sixteen winners. The event garnered a virtual audience of over a hundred thousand attendees from across Nigeria. The first edition was hosted by Timini Egbuson.

The second edition took place on Sunday, June 12th, 2022, at the Monarch event center in Lekki, Lagos. Content creator, influencer, and TV host Kie Kie hosted the event. The host generated headlines when she appeared to fall off the stage during the awards, later revealed to be a prank. Winners of the second edition received $1000 cash prizes, while the winner of the "emerging force" category, the only voting category, received a cash prize of $1,500.

The third edition was held on Sunday, July 9th, 2023, at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The edition received over 200,000 nominations across sixteen categories. Mikano Motors presented a brand new car to the "Force of Influence" Winner, Mr. Macaroni. Other partners included Pepsi Nigeria, McVitie’s Nigeria, Tramango, and Cliqki Technologies, with media partners such as MTV Base and more. Prominent past winners include Broda Shaggi, Anita Natacha Akide, Ikorodu Bois, Lasisi Elenu, Taaooma, Benjamin Hundeyin, Mark Angel, Fisayo Fosudo, Amazing Klef, Denola Grey, Aproko Doctor, Phyna, and Sheggz, all of whom have made significant contributions to the Nigerian social media landscape.

Rules
The Trendupp Awards employ a no-voting system, with winners selected each year by a jury of industry leaders, headed by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji. Winners in each category are determined by the jury based on three criteria: creativity, consistency, and engagement. Nominations are open to the general public for the first three editions.

Force of Influence
The Force of Influence is a prominent category in the Trendupp Awards, recognizing the influencer or content creator who had the greatest impact on the Nigerian social media space during the relevant year. Iyabo Ojo was the first winner of this category, while Mr. Macaroni won this award in the second and third editions of the awards. In 2023, the organizers presented the category winner with a brand new car.

Other categories
The Trendupp Awards feature several additional categories:


 * The Force of YouTube
 * The Force of TikTok
 * The Force of Twitter
 * The Force of Instagram
 * The Force of Virility
 * The Force of Food Content
 * The Force of Online Sensation
 * The Force of Social Good
 * The Force of Tech
 * The Force of Comedy Skits
 * The Force of Blogging
 * The Force of Lifestyle Content
 * The Force of Creative Arts
 * The Force of Wellness
 * The Force of Collaboration
 * Emerging Force