“Content is the New Oil” – Izuchukwu Nwankpa’s vision to monetise creativity for young Nigerians

Data is expensive and visibility even more so, but one tech entrepreneur is betting big on a simple idea: Nigerian creators should not only be seen, they should be paid. Izuchukwu G. Nwankpa is on a mission to transform Nigeria’s creative economy by giving creators a homegrown platform to build influence, community, and real income.

At the heart of that mission is Golvia, a social media platform he describes as “built for Africa, starting with sports but designed for everyone.” For Izuchukwu, the dominance of global platforms like TikTok and Instagram has long masked a frustrating reality: African creators drive the culture, but often do not reap the rewards. “The platforms we use were not built for us,” he said. “Creators often face barriers accessing earnings, brands struggle to reach audiences meaningfully, and value often flows out of Africa instead of staying here.”

Golvia is his answer to that imbalance. The platform is already gaining traction among young Nigerians who post sports clips, freestyle videos, and skill show-offs to a growing audience of fans, peers, and scouts. For Iso, it is not just about content, it is about community. “Golvia is where talents shine, communities form, and the next generation of creators build their brands in an ecosystem designed for them,” Izuchukwu said.

Unlike other platforms that rely heavily on ad revenue or foreign payment channels, Golvia is building a creator-first economy in Naira. The upcoming monetisation features, including in-app gifting, brand partnerships, and premium subscriptions are designed to reward users directly and reduce the dependency on international infrastructure. “Soon, creators will be able to earn directly through gifting, brand campaigns, premium features, and more, all in Naira, without needing a foreign account,” Izuchukwu noted.

But Golvia is not just a tech platform. It is a generation of Nigerians rethinking what it means to own their narrative. As Nigeria’s youth population continues to boom and content creation becomes an everyday career path, platforms like Golvia could play a vital role in building a sustainable and inclusive creative economy.

“We are starting with what matters most to our youth… sports,” he explained, referencing the decision to focus the platform’s first iteration on sporting content. “But we are not stopping there.” The goal is to expand into music, fashion, education, and other verticals where Nigeria’s soft power already commands global attention.

Izuchukwu’s rallying cry is clear: “Content is the new oil, and it is time Nigerians own it.” His platform might still be in its early days, but the vision is really bold.
Because as he puts it, “the future belongs to creators. And creators belong on Golvia.”