Lights, camera, earnings: The rise of Nigeria’s streamers

Nigeria’s creative sector has always been a space for talent, with musicians, filmmakers, and artists gaining recognition.

Now, a new group of creators is emerging: streamers. These individuals use platforms such as TikTok Live and Twitch to share live video content and connect with audiences in real time.

Streaming has become a career option, offering a way to earn income and build fame.

A new path for Nigerian creators

Streaming involves broadcasting live video online, letting viewers watch and interact instantly. TikTok Live and Twitch have made it easy for anyone with a smartphone or computer to start streaming.

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In Nigeria, this trend is picking up, drawing in both regular people and well-known figures. Streamers are creating communities of loyal followers and turning their content into a source of income. For many, it’s now a full-time job that gets the best out of their creative prowess and ability to engage others.

Who’s leading the way?

Several Nigerian streamers have built large audiences and steady incomes. Here are some of the standout names:

Habeeb Hamzat(Peller): Hamzat is a trailblazer in Nigeria’s streaming world. His huge viewership and earnings have set him apart. His manager, Bosa Lee, said that with strong energy and viewer support, Hamzat can make N1 million to N2 million in a single day on TikTok.

He once earned $30,000 (about N46 million) in just one minute, setting an African record for the platform.

He has said in interviews that he makes over N15 million by streaming three times a week, with up to 80,000 viewers watching. His achievements show how streaming can be a serious career in Nigeria.

Emmanuel Adesokan(Shank Comics): Adesokan started as a Twitter influencer, then moved to skits before becoming a full-time streamer. He gained attention abroad by representing Nigeria at Kai Cenat’s ‘Streamer University’ in the U.S.

In the last 30 days, his Twitch channel has had 290,556 live views, averaging 652 viewers per stream and totaling 22,045 hours watched, according to Streams Charts. He’s currently the most followed African streamer on Twitch.

Odahohwo Joseph Efe (Cater Efe): Cater Efe joined the streaming scene in 2025 and has seen success on Twitch. His top stream hit 76,000 views, making it the most-viewed stream in Africa at the time. Other streams have ranged from 351 to 4,300 views, showing room for growth.

Other Nigerian Twitch streamers like Make Up With Raye, Bethy, Ayotunde Brothers, and Timmie Samuels are also gaining traction. They’re part of a rising group of creators making a living through live content.

How streamers earn income

The streamer economy taps different ways to make money.

Subscriptions-based platforms like Twitch and TikTok let viewers pay monthly fees for special access or perks. Streamers get shares of the money.

Advertising plays during streams, and platforms split the revenue with streamers. However, this is bigger for those in affiliate or partnership programmes. Twitch has affiliate and partnership programmes that give streamers more tools and better revenue splits. Affiliates are for beginners, while partners are for those with larger followings.

Donations are also made by viewers who send money or virtual gifts. On TikTok, these gifts can be turned into real cash by the streamers. According to Zebracat, TikTok takes 50 percent of the total coin value as a platform fee, meaning creators only receive half of what viewers spend on gifts.

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Sponsorships by brands reward streamers with big audiences to promote their products. This can mean shout-outs during livestreams or dedicated streams. Some streamers also sell merchandise, like clothes or accessories, to their fans. Combining these methods helps them to build careers that last, especially as their viewership grows.

Why engagement matters

Streamers’ success hinges on connecting with their audiences. They use chat features to talk to viewers live, answering questions and building communities. This bond keeps viewers coming back and encourages them to support through subscriptions or donations.

Peller’s manager, Lee, pointed out that engagement is key. On TikTok, if more than 15 people send gifts during a stream, a streamer can earn N1 million to N2 million in a day. It shows how much viewer interaction drives income.

Challenges facing streamers

Streaming is growing in Nigeria, but it faces hurdles. The biggest is internet connectivity. About 50 percent of mobile connections use 4G. The 5G had 4.05 million subscribers by December 2024.

Still, the network isn’t reliable everywhere. Bad internet can disrupt streams and keep some from joining as creators or viewers.

Ayomide Oriowo, who follows the industry, said, “Network connectivity isn’t that great in Nigeria, and that’s stopping a lot of people from being involved.”

But he’s hopeful, adding, “I think it will continue to grow, and media companies will have to include it in their plans.”

Read also: 5 Nigerian musicians who are also Nollywood movie stars

What’s next for streaming in Nigeria

The streamer economy is just getting started in Nigeria, but it’s already making waves. Creators like Peller, Shank Comics, and Cater Efe prove it’s a real way to earn a living. As more people try streaming and viewership rises, the industry will likely keep growing.

One area that’s still small is game streaming. Globally, it’s huge. Twitch hit 14 million concurrent viewers in July, with action games leading the way. In Nigeria, though, gaming or game streams aren’t popular yet. This could be a chance for streamers to tap into a new audience.

Looking ahead, the streamer economy could become a major part of Nigeria’s creative sector. With better internet and support from platforms, enthusiasts say it might create more jobs and influence culture.