According to Munirat Antoinette Lecky, a reality star from Big Brother Naija and an actress, there is a common tendency among people to look down on social media influencers.
She pointed out that the prevailing belief about influencers is that they are essentially seen as “jobless individuals.”
Anto Lecky shared her views during an appearance on ADBN TV, where she gave her reaction to singer Wizkid’s recent social media outburst, in which he referred to veteran music executive Don Jazzy as a mere “influencer.”
She remarked, “I’m not entirely sure about the specifics of the situation, but based on what I’ve gathered from the media, I believe that Wizkid’s use of the term ‘influencer’ was intended to be derogatory.”
“I think what he was trying to convey… You know, many individuals perceive influencers as unemployed individuals. It’s like they think, ‘This individual, with all their qualifications, couldn’t find a job and is now just posting content on Instagram.’ That’s the typical image associated with influencers.”
“This is why you see many individuals now trying to categorize themselves as a specific type of influencer; like a lifestyle influencer or a fashion influencer because the term ‘influencer’ has essentially become synonymous with ‘unemployed.'”
“That’s why you have to specify. For instance, I prefer to refer to myself as a social influencer; someone who operates within the social sphere, not limited to just social media as I also engage in various grassroots activities. Therefore, if I were to be labeled an influencer, I would prefer to be known as a social advocacy influencer. I’ve added this distinction because I understand that influencers are often viewed as individuals who lack a clear direction in life.”