Buhari, Evans the Kidnapper, top Google’s search lists for 2017

By Oluwatobi Opusunju

Google has released its 2017 Year in Search results with a unique perspective on the year’s major moments and top trends based on searches conducted in Nigeria. “Is Buhari dead?”, “Evans the kidnapper”, “Where is Nnamdi Kanu now?”, “Anambra Elections” were all among the top Google searches by Nigerians for the year.

About 40,000 search queries are processed every second on Google; a figure that translates to more than a billion searches per day and 1.2 trillion searches per year worldwide.

According to the tech giant which made this known in an official statement this week: “The information is gleaned from data collated by Google based on what Nigerians have been searching for and asking Google this year.”

In addition to showcasing what people, places, and things were trending around the globe this year, the 2017 Year in Search list also offers insights into what the top trending news moment for Nigerians was in the last 12 months, as well as the new music and movies that got their attention.

The most searched person on Google’s year-end list was Moji Olaiya, the sad news of her death two months after giving birth shook the Nigerian movie industry. Coming in second place was notorious kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike – popularly known as Evans. Adesua Etomi was third on the list, likely because of the announcement of her engagement to Banky Wellington.

It’s no secret that people also turn to Google for answers to questions they are embarrassed to ask their friends. This year’s top “What is…” queries included President Buhari’s state of health, JAMB and WAEC results, what a female Hyena is called, what Monkeypox is and Bitcoin.

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This year’s most searched events and stories of interest by Nigerians include symptoms of Monkeypox, political news in other African countries, the IPhone 8 release and celebrity weddings.

Here’s the full list – Year in Search 2017:

Nigeria’s Most Searched People

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1. Moji Olaiya
2. Evans the kidnapper
3. Adesua Etomi
4. Donald Trump
5. Eazi
6. Efe
7. Jide Tinubu
8. Olumide Bakare
9. Dammy Krane

• Eric Arubayi

Nigeria’s Most Searched Stories and Events

1. ASUU Strike
2. Moji Olaiya dead
3. Monkeypox outbreak
4. IPhone 8 / IPhone X Launch
5. New president in Gambia
6. Adesua and Banky Wedding
7. Anambra Elections
8. Mayweather vs Mcgregor fight
9. Zimbabwe Coup

• Catalonia Referendum

Nigeria’s Most Asked Questions: Ok Google? Who…How…What…

1. Is Buhari dead?
2. How to check JAMB results
3. How to check WAEC results
4. What is a female Hyena called?
5. What is Monkeypox?
6. What is bitcoin?
7. What is MMM?
8. Who is Bobrisky?
9. How to check BVN

• Where is Nnamdi Kanu n

Nigeria’s Most Searched-for Songs

1. Olamide – Wo
2. Davido – Fia
3. Davido- Fall
4. Patapaa Ft. Ras Cann – One Corner
5. Davido – If
6. Runtown – Mad over you
7. Kiss Daniel – Yeba
8. Tekno – Go
9. Mayorkun – Mama

• Tekno Ft. Wizkid – Mama

Nigeria’s Most Searched for Movies/TV Series

1. Fast and Furious 8
2. Wonder Woman
3. Game of Thrones season 7
4. Big Brother Naija 2017
5. Justice League
6. Thor Ragnarok
7. Jenifa’s Diary Season 7
8. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion
9. The Wedding Party

• Better call Saul

Nigeria’s Most Searched Sports People

1. Philippe Coutinho
2. Romelu Lukaku
3. Tiémoué Bakayoko
4. Anthony Joshua
5. Ousmane Dembele
6. Floyd Mayweather
7. Nemanja Matic
8. Cheick Ismaël Tiote
9. Ivan Perisic

• Kylian Sanmi Mbappe

Nigeria’s Most Searched ‘Near Me’ quieres 

1. Restaurants near me
2. Nail Salon near me
3. Clubs near me
4. Food near me
5. Movies near me
6. Jobs near me