Linda Ikeji

Linda Ikeji (born Linda Ifeoma Ikeji; 19 September 1980) is a Nigerian news carrier blogger, writer, entrepreneur and former model. She is best known for her blog. She is the highest paid blogger in Nigeria.

Early life and education

Ikeji was born and raised in a Catholic family from Nkwerre, Imo State. She is the second child. Linda began to express her hobby in writing at the age of 10. Determined to make it in life, she put herself out at the age of 17. She finished secondary school at the age of 17 and, at 18, enrolled at the University of Lagos, where she studied English Language. To assist her family and support herself through school, she had part-time jobs as a waitress, model and writer. Ikeji graduated from the University in 2004. In 2006, she started blogging as a hobby. At that time, the internet was not as pronounced in Nigeria and she had to make her posts at a cybercafe.

Blogging

After graduation, Ikeji started blogging in 2006. She became an active blogger 2007 using a blogger sub-domain and later obtained her custom domain www.lindaikejisblog.com.

Philanthropy

Ikeji runs a non-profit project themed I'd rather be self made; No thanks. In her interview with HipTV, she revealed that through the project, she assists young girls aged 16–25 who have great business ideas and are willing to venture into entrepreneurship. She gave out the sum of NGN10,000,000 in the Phase 1 of the project. She announced the commencement of Phase 2 of the Project via her Instagram account.

Recognition

In August 2012, Forbes Africa dedicated itself to celebrating African women that month's issue. In that issue, Forbes profiled Africa's 20 Most Prominent Women and the issue featured profiles on two young Nigerian women: Linda Ikeji, as well as Chibundu Onuzo.

Linda Ikeji was the biggest Google Search trend in Nigeria for 2014. The name Linda Ikeji was the most searched item by users of Google in Nigeria

Ikeji was interviewed by BBC on their Focus on Africa programme. The interview aired on 25 September 2012.

Controversies

Controversial posts

Ikeji has dealt with controversial posts which include the #SaveMayowa Campaign and also about celebrities such as Funke Akindele, Richard Mofe Damijo, Djimon Honsou, Wizkid and Tonto Dikeh. She also made controversial publications about Doyin Okupe who described the publications as defamatory.

Shut down of blog by Google

Ikeji's blog was shut down on 8 October 2014, but restored on 10 October 2014 around midnight by Google for undisclosed reasons. Kola Ogunlade, a Google correspondent, said: "We take violations of policies very seriously as such activities diminish the experience for our users. When we are notified of the existence of content that may violate our Terms of Service, we act quickly to review it and determine whether it actually violates our policies. If we determine that it does, we remove it immediately."

Honours and awards