4 days Ago By Omoleye Omoruyi
What if you’re walking abroad, mingling with a crowd of diverse people when someone notices your iPhone and exclaims, “ Oh, you have an iPhone? That’s interestin g.” You begin to reply, ready to talk about your device, but before you can, they interject with, “ So..
. how do you charge it in Africa ?” For many, this would be a surreal or even mildly frustrating interaction. Still, it’s an experience that hits home for Charity Ekezie , a Nigerian creator whose content has resonated with millions by breaking down negative stereotypes about Africa.
Charity has built a community of over three million on TikTok by tackling these misconceptions with humour and clarity, dismantling stereotypes about Africa and its people in a way that is entertaining and educational. Charity’s journey to TikTok fame didn’t start in an ideal place. Reflecting on her struggles before TikTok, she shares, “ My life was a bit difficult before TikTok .
” As she recounts, she was navigating intense personal and financial challenges and even struggling to afford necessities. In an interview with Technext, she candidly discusses the period she went through massive depression, where even eating regularly was a challenge, and she weighed as little as 44 kg as an adult. Despite being a graduate, her prospects were limited, and she felt lost.
The pandemic lockdowns only added to her struggles, yet it was during this time that TikTok emerged as an unexpected lifeline. Like many others, Charity was drawn to the platform during the 2020 lockdowns. Having dabbled in content creation on other platforms, she was familiar with the process, but TikTok’s format and algorithm were different—and powerful.
Recognising this potential, she continued on TikTok, starting with skits and lighthearted videos. Charity’s approach to creating content about African stereotypes struck a nerve. Instead of tackling misconceptions with anger or frustration, she used sarcasm and humour.
This approach, as she describes, was exactly like how Africans react to questions or statements that sound out of place. Her unique style made her videos funny and thought-provoking, leading them to go viral. “ It blew up !” she recalls.
Her first major viral video hit 20 million views, and others quickly followed, with one other reaching between 35 and 37 million views. Each viral moment reinforced her decision to continue creating content focused on shifting perceptions. The success of her videos didn’t come easy or without challenges.
Charity remembers starting with an old phone with a low-quality camera, unable to afford better equipment. Nonetheless, TikTok’s algorithm didn’t let the video quality stand in her way. “ A good video is a good video ,” she says.
The content itself was what mattered, and audiences responded to her humour and authenticity. Gradually, as her following grew, she was able to invest in better equipment and deepen her skills in content creation, learning the “ tips and tricks ” of creating engaging videos that connect with viewers. Today, she feels so confident in her expertise that she could teach a masterclass on content creation.
Charity Ekezie’s presence on TikTok brought her success and connected her with audiences far beyond Nigeria. She’s particularly proud that her videos reach a global audience, with most of her fans residing outside of Africa in countries like the U.S.
, UK, Canada, Germany, India and even the Philippines. As she puts it, TikTok’s algorithm “ pushes content globally ,” allowing her to share her message widely and to audiences who might otherwise have limited knowledge of African perspectives. As part of TikTok’s Change Makers Programme, Charity’s impactful work is being honoured with a $25,000 donation to Paradigm Initiative, an organization dedicated to advancing digital rights and inclusion in Nigeria.
This contribution is part of the TikTok Change Makers Grant, which allocates over $1 million to more than 30 global and local non-profits addressing critical causes. Reflecting on this milestone, Charity says,“ It was a dream come true when TikTok reached out ,”, and she’s excited to see the positive impact it will have on kids who will benefit from the grant. Through her partnership with TikTok, Charity is empowered to deepen her mission of challenging stereotypes and tangibly advocating for young Nigerians.
Charity Ekezie’s experience on TikTok has also brought her challenges, especially in handling the inevitable negativity that comes with a large online following. “ The biggest one is negative comments ,” she notes. Thankfully, TikTok has Comment Care Mode which gives you more control over your experience on TikTok by applying additional filters to the comments posted on your content.
Another challenge is “ creator’s block ,” an issue she recently faced when she took a break and saw her engagement dip. She knows that staying consistent is essential to keeping her audience engaged and is mindful of the need to stay active even when inspiration runs low. Looking forward, Charity hopes to collaborate with other creators who share her focus on African content, though she acknowledges that her niche is unique.
She’s particularly interested in working with a Congolese TikToker based in South Africa whose content also centres on Africa and the African experience, a partnership that she believes would amplify their shared mission of putting Africa on the global map. When asked if content creation could be a viable full-time career for others, Charity Ekezie emphasises that while it “ pays ,” it requires patience and commitment. She advises against quitting a steady job impulsively and suggests that aspiring creators start by building a brand and audience gradually.
In Nigeria’s challenging economic climate, jumping into content creation full-time without preparation is risky, she says. “ You need to build yourself as a brand ,” she explains..
