The internet doesn’t sleep and in 2025, Nigeria served up some of the wildest, funniest, and most unexpected online trends. From dance challenges and toddler memes to celebrity skits and parody sounds, these viral moments took over our timelines… until they didn’t.
Here are some of the biggest Nigerian memes and challenges that blew up in 2025 only to fade just as fast.
1. The Cookie Challenge
What happens when you ask a toddler to share a cookie and their idea of sharing is leaving you with crumbs? That’s exactly what the Cookie Challenge delivered. In this wholesome trend, parents filmed themselves asking their kids to share snacks. What followed was pure comedy (and some heartbreak).
One of the most talked-about versions came from celebrity couple Ibrahim Suleiman and Linda Ejiofor, whose son Keon adorably shared his cookie with her mum. The video went viral on Instagram and TikTok, drawing praise for its relatability and cuteness.
Why it faded: It was more of a “moment” than a challenge. Once the earliest versions circulated, the format lost momentum.
2. The Animal Sound Challenge
This one had Nigerians in stitches. In the Animal Sound Challenge, people took on the role of a dramatic character. They make the sound of a specific animal before it could pass through a gate.
The result? Pure comedy.
Social media feeds were soon flooded with chaotic impressions of goats, sheep, elephants, and even chickens. Two celebrity queens of comedy, Kiekie and Bisola Aiyeola, brought major heat to the trend:
• Kiekie’s version saw her making exaggerated expressions, unbelievable sounds, generating relentless laughter.
• Bisola Aiyeola joined in shortly after, posting her own hilarious take on Instagram, where she participated in a one-woman skit full of energy and sass.
Their participation gave the challenge a massive visibility boost, and for a moment, everyone was mimicking animals with wild abandon.
Why it faded: Despite its comedic gold, the format was too linear. After a few standout versions (especially from celebs), audiences quickly moved on. It became a “seen one, seen all” kind of trend.
3. Davido’s “With You” Dance Challenge
When Davido dropped “With You” in February 2025, the mid-tempo romantic bop inspired a smooth dance challenge filled with arm rolls and waist moves. TikTok and Instagram lit up briefly as creators joined the #WithYouChallenge.
Couples, dancers, and even some celebs gave it a go, but the challenge never quite reached the levels of Unavailable or Fem.
Why it faded: The dance lacked the energy and remix potential to go the distance. After a few weeks of buzz, it quietly disappeared.
4. Tshwala Bam Dance Challenge
Originally sparked in South Africa in late 2024, Tshwala Bam exploded into Nigerian dance culture in early 2025. Everyone, from secondary school kids to celebrities, jumped on the Amapiano-infused choreography.
The signature moves were so catchy they dominated TikTok trends for weeks, with many celebrities jumping on it.
Why it faded: Oversaturation. Everyone did it, and then… no one wanted to anymore.
5. Sope Purrr Sound Trend
This viral sound took over TikTok with its now-famous line: “Sope purrr!” The phrase, reportedly from a young lady and her friends, who were on their way out. She asked her friends to pout and say ‘purrrr’. It fast became a soundtrack for self-love, confidence, and dramatic glow-up clips.
People used it to strut, transform, or declare emotional independence, with creators lip-syncing to it in exaggerated “Gen Z” tones.
Why it faded: It was catchy, but lacked visual depth. No dance, no skit format, just the audio. Once overused, it lost impact.
6. Victor Osimhen’s Mask Edits
When Victor Osimhen showed up at AFCON 2025 and subsequent Napoli matches rocking his signature protective mask, it didn’t take long before the internet made it a full-blown fashion statement. Nigerians turned his medical necessity into a meme goldmine, saying things like “this mask holds all his superpowers.”
Despite all the buzz, the trend wore off quickly. Once AFCON ended and Napoli’s season quieted down, so did the frenzy. Like many football-related memes, it had a short shelf life tied to the match calendar.
Why it faded: Football-season dependent, lost steam post-tournament.
7. Shallipopi’s “Laho” Snippet & Remix Wave
When Shallipopi teased “Laho” on TikTok, it instantly became a cult hit. The snippet’s slang and delivery triggered a flood of dance and lamba videos. But the real wave came when he dropped “Laho II” featuring Burna Boy in April.
The remix got an extra boost when both artistes performed it live at Burna’s Stade de France concert, making it the most Shazamed song in Nigeria at the time.
Why it faded: After the remix, there was no fresh dance, challenge, or content push to keep it trending.
Final Thoughts
In the world of Nigerian internet culture, trends come fast and go even faster. One minute your timeline is flooded with cookie-sharing toddlers and “sope purrr” audios, the next it’s all gone like it never happened.
But for a brief moment, these challenges made us laugh, dance, or just stare in awe. And even though they didn’t last, they’ll always have a spot in the Nigerian internet hall of fame… no matter how short-lived.
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