Alright, I know you would be expecting this blog would be from The Republic’s point of view, but since I’m the one writing it, you’re getting it from mine. Argue with your keyboard. Time of Arrival: Thursday, October 10, 1:25 PM
Oops! (Insert side-eye emoji). I was late to Day 2 of the event. Let’s just say Lagos traffic had other plans, plus I had another engagement beforehand.
But by the time I got there, things were in progress. As we shared on our Instagram attending Moonshot ’24 for us wasn’t just about showing up. It was a mission. And that mission was to connect with real Nigerian buyers, ask the right questions, and most importantly, listen.
Olatunde, our resident social butterfly, was already chatting with industry leaders, diving into what drives them as buyers. And honestly, the insights were even better than we expected.
I mean, people are still buying dollars in Tinubu’s economy?
What Was Your Last Purchase?
We started with a simple question: “What was the last thing you bought?” The answers were a mix of predictable and surprising. Some mentioned the usual—food, a dress and so on. But others? Dollars! I mean, people are still buying dollars in Tinubu’s economy? Someone even mentioned reading glasses. It just goes to show, the needs and wants of Nigerian buyers are endless. Who knows, someone out there might be buying a Lamborghini right now!
What Influences Nigerian's Buying Decisions?
Next up, we asked what influences their decisions. Some went with the obvious—functionality and value for money. But others brought more personal reasons into the mix, like kids and referrals. One person even admitted they shop just for the thrill of it—It’s like an addiction for them!
One person even admitted they shop just for the thrill of it—It’s like an addiction for them!
The Role of Content
The conversation shifted to content, and there was a clear consensus: content is important. One buyer pointed out that there are endless possibilities with it—something we, as marketers, already know. But another buyer made an interesting point. She said, “Too much of anything isn’t good. For me, marketing should communicate something. Funny voice-overs and dances don’t do it for me. I’d rather just see pictures of the product.”
The big takeaway? It’s not just about making content, it’s about making sure it connects with the right people in the right way.
Top Social Media Platforms
We asked about their go-to marketing tools and favorite social platforms.Unsurprisingly, Instagram topped the list as their go-to marketing tool. Those who gave that answer attributed it to the value for money they feel they get from the platform. Twitter was mentioned a lot as their favorite social media platform. And the reason for this can be seen when one interviewee jokingly added, “Twitter, and that’s kind of showing my age.” This really goes to show how generational influence can shape preferences, which often influence buying habits too.
Final Thoughts
At The Republic, we’re not just here to challenge the norm, we want to be right in the middle of the ever-changing landscape, paying attention to what’s shifting in real-time. Hearing directly from consumers at Moonshot ’24 reminded us that marketing isn’t just about selling to a faceless crowd—it’s about creating real human connections.
This experience reinforced our commitment to making sure our strategies are not only smart but also deeply human. Going forward, we’ll keep these insights front and center as we craft campaigns that truly connect with Nigerian buyers and their needs.
Time of Leaving: Thursday, October 10, 5:46 PM.
