Quick Questions With Wonu Osikoya.
Kicking off the celebration of oustanding women through the month of March, we speak with one of the youngest, finest and integral voices in the Nigerian music & media landscape in person of Wonu Osikoya. Touching on the gendered nature of the industry, thriving and shattering glass ceilings while nativigating growth and her unpopular opinion about Nigeria.
It seems that as each day passes, we’re losing touch with genuine connections and a profound understanding of the complexities that come with being in the public eye, especially within the media and entertainment sector.
Wonu Osikoya steps in to bridge these gaps, focusing on amplifying journeys and stories, redefining stereotypes, and making Nigerian acts perceived as more relatable.
As a culture journalist, she documents various aspects of the Nigerian music sector, advocating literacy in Nigerian music and demonstrates that a person’s worthiness to be recognized and placed in a seat amongst the greats shouldn’t be questioned solely on their age or experience but on impact and that is an undeniable flair she possesses.
List your Top 5 GOAT Women
My Goat Women. In no particular order would be Julie Adenuga, I love and look up to her. She is my biggest inspiration. Also I like Zeze Millz, Hailee Rose , we are birthday mates and Sharon Ooja is also a big inspiration for me as well. I love her style and really just love her.
I like Tiwa Savage, I feel like she is one of those people that just doesn’t care and in my forties, I wish to have a body like hers.
These are the people I look up to off the top of my head. Career-wise I would say Julie Adenuga is definitely my biggest inspiration.
Which Commonly used term to Describe Women do you find uncomfortable?
I would say, “Bitches”, the words rub off badly on me ,negatively. I don’t like it when guys refer to women as bitches. It’s just condescending and somehow.
What’s a Popular Myth about Women in the Creative space?
That women get it easy. I feel it’s more difficult for women especially in the creative space because it is kind of like you are not supposed to be privy to a lot of things.
The creative industry is male-dominated. A lot of people find it crazy that you know things. I feel like women know a lot more than men and I personally find it easier working with women than men.
I think it is crazy that people question women’s ability to do things.
Taking the Nigerian Big 3, for example, you would notice a predominant feature, is that they are being managed by females. So you would also understand my disbelief on why women are left out of conversations.
What’s your Favorite moment so far from Osikoya Speaks?
Whenever I am asked this question, I really don’t know what answer to give. In my opinion and I’m sure that quite a vast majority of people share the same sentiment, Osikoya Speaks as a whole is a blessing and there is no single moment where I have an episode to single out as my favorite. Every episode is my favorite.
Also, I like to talk about music, and every time I do that, I have the best time. I enjoy talking about music and whenever I am doing that, it means I’m having the best time. Each time, I see the podcast as a blessing my way and I am so grateful for the ability to dream and not just dream, but also bring my dreams to life.
I don’t see a world where Osikoya speaks won’t be here, it breathes and lives in a continuum. So it’s just me commercializing moments of my life and parts of myself, I will be engaged in whether or not the camera is rolling. One thing for sure is I will always talk about music.
It is a blessing to be able to make money from something that comes as second nature to me. I would say it’s a passion now turned profession and I am just grateful to watch it unfold and progress as the years go by.
What’s the Best advice you got from a Woman within the Music sector?
Hmm, It would be from Osagie, and this is from our most recent conversation. During a recent interview, she told me to keep on going and never stop going and advised me to stay true to my art.
How is Navigating life as a woman within the Nigerian Creative space?
It’s quite difficult I can’t lie, especially because there is hardly any blueprint to guide you on steering the course of this journey. It is also difficult to create blueprints for others. It is a lot of pressure being creative in general, that on its own is hard enough. Then imagine the burden of being a woman combined with being a creative in Nigeria.
There are a lot of expectations and burdens on you to deliver while still having to deal with the complexities of being a woman simultaneously.
What’s your unpopular opinion about any subject in general?
I feel like Nigeria shouldn’t be a country, I personally feel like it doesn’t exist and we are living in a facade. Life shouldn’t be this hard. I believe Nigeria is a facade and not real.
What’s a food combination you are embarrassed to say you like?
I like rice and Okra, I don’t exactly find it embarrassing. It is just a bit strange to some people.
If you were a lawmaker for a day, what bill would you pass into law?
Hmm, omo anything that supports women abeg.
Women should have equal rights. Where we are in this part of the world, things don’t work in the favour of the women. The systems in place are nto designed to work for women.
I say it all the time, I have a bias in favour of women. I don’t care if they are wrong, the people who are not biased in favor of women are in the majority. I am happy to lend my voice to the minority and I am on the side biased in favor of women.
Wonu’s insights sheds light on the complexities within the Nigerian creative scene and underscores her resilience to rising above gender stratification while striving for recognition and equality