Up-close with Nigeria’s foremost Tech YouTube Vlogger, Eric Okafor (Knewkeed)

Eric Okafor (also known as Knewkeed) is a 29-year-old technology vlogger and YouTuber based in Nigeria. Android App reviews. He was born in Lagos Nigeria and hails for South-East, Nigeria. He has a background in Business Administration from the University of Lagos. He starting his YouTube channel in 2015, making consumer technology videos with a niche in smartphones and App reviews. Eric Okafor’s tech YouTube channel is becoming a community for gadget enthusiasts in his country with nearly 5 million views and over 30K subscribers.

AMEYAW: How did you transition from your course of study into making technology videos?

ERIC OKAFOR:  While in Uni, i spent a lot of my spare time then watching unboxing and review videos from the likes of MKBHD, Flossy Carter and pocket now on YouTube. I was pretty obsessed with gadgets and i started writing very detailed reviews on public forums. In 2015, I was actually working 9-5 as a digital marketer when I started to film unboxing videos as a hobby. I did not know about YouTube monetization at the time so i wasn’t really considering it as a career option until it became lucrative shortly after i hit 1000 subscribers in 2017

AMEYAW: Do you love what you do and is it paying enough, more than your 9-5? 

ERIC OKAFOR: Yeah, I love it more everyday. As for pay, I think it’s just enough to pay the bills and it pays better than the 9-5 i left behind but it could be better.

AMEYAW: How is it like working for yourself, do ever have help?

ERIC OKAFOR: It’s pretty interesting. I have had to teach myself some discipline in order to be more consistent with the videos i make, though I’m not as consistent as i want to be. I don’t have help right now. I film and edit myself. I am open to it for the future when my work load expands.

AMEYAW: How did you come up with your social media name, ‘Knewkeed’?

ERIC OKAFOR: I was new on Twitter. I was playing around with usernames in my head and new kid on the block came to mind. Did some tweaks and then Knewkeed was born.

AMEYAW: What are your biggest challenges as a Nigerian Vlogger?

ERIC OKAFOR: We have a few major challenges here like poor electricity supply which affects when we film. Basically, we cannot film or voice over with the noise from everyone’s generator. Data is also expensive which means that our target audience may not watch our videos because they’re saving their data. 

AMEYAW:  What are your plans for this year? 

ERIC OKAFOR: I’m looking forward for all the improvements in 2019’s gadgets and I have set some specific goals, one of which is publishing 100 videos. My key focus is content over anything else in 2019. I also set 10 Million views and 50,000 subscribers as my target before the year ends.

AMEYAW: What is your advice for people who want to review gadgets on YouTube?

ERIC OKAFOR: The one advice i have for them is to start with their gadget at hand. I started filming with a very low end phone and i still film with a smartphone. If you have the funds, a camera is great but you do not need to have all the necessary tools to begin a YouTube channel. A $10 tripod and your phone may suffice. Also, all the answers you seek are on YouTube. Learn how to film, edit and promote your videos from YouTube tutorials. It’s a very self sufficient platform. A lot of young Nigerians actually started unboxing and reviewing gadgets last year and have grown tremendously within a short time so the YouTube space is not anywhere near saturated yet. There’s room for everyone. Lastly, be very patient and do it for the passion. Millions of views and subscribers don’t happen over night.

Subscribe to his channel and follow him through the following social media platforms: 

YouTube: Eric Okafor

Instagram: Knewkeed

Twitter: Knewkeed

Facebook: Eric Okafor