We knew we needed to avail ourselves of the bounty of Nigeria’s deep talent pool for a crucial role but had spent some days (some would say too many) mulling it over but it took a well-timed cold email from a certain Ernest at Jobberman to snap us out of our dithering. On that crisp September morning we tentatively plunged into the deep and vast talent pool in our search for a content producer to help us reboot our connection to the battered and bruised SME demographic. We will have you know that the market delivered – in a really unexpected way. December marks the culmination of our search process and the beginning of an exciting new journey with a new teammate who ticks more than a few of the boxes we originally set out at dawn for.

We’d like to bring you on that journey and so are excited for you to meet the latest addition to our team and, to entrench a new-ish tradition, we decided to ask some lightning questions of him as a way, dear reader, for you to get a peek behind the curtains and see what makes our newly minted content producer tick. From the ear worms and podcasts that he is enthralled by to tv, books and tech that make him weak at the knees, there is a lot here to get a sense of the man behind the blog. And without further ado we give you Ahmad-Tijani Agbaje!

Boy on Fire: Ahmad-Tijani Agbaje

You will be stuck on a desert island without internet access for the next 30 days. What 5 songs will see you through?

AA: Wow, wow. This is a tough one because I’m such a music junkie. But, if I must survive, it would be these (in no particular order);

Resonance by HOME (I’m actually listening to this as I answer, haha)
Ya Dig? by May0 (She’s a Nigerian Afrobeats artiste I found on TikTok and wow!)
Mirror Memory by Teebs
The Farmhouse by Silver Maple
Iron Man by Rema

What 2 Nigerian podcasts will go on that trip with you?

AA: The I Said What I Said Podcast, for sure. Then maybe Tea with Tay?
Full disclosure: I don’t listen to many podcasters because they usually have pretty boring and/or triggering discourse.

What are you reading now?

AA: I’m currently wrapped up in Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros. It’s the second instalment in her Empyrean series, and I like it a lot.

Most impactful quote from your favourite movie/tv series?

AA: Hmm, this is tough. I’m not sure I have one?
Probably when Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory says “I don’t need sleep, I need answers!”
Twas a very profound moment for me. Deeeeefinitely not because that’s my favourite show.
(Wink Wink)

Which outfit from Lagos Fashion Weekend 2023 would you steal?

So many bangers (and misses, if we’re being honest), so I’ll be diplomatic and say they were all very inspiring.
(Honourable house mentions: Kilentar, Ugo Monye)

Kilentar at Lagos Fashion Week 2023. Photo Credit (/bellanaija.com)

Ugo Monye at Lagos Fashion Week 2023. Photo Credit (/bellanaijastyle.com)

Favourite sports/sports team?

AA: The only sport I’m into is the heavenly race. Obashata.

What’s your ultimate karaoke tune?

AA: Would you believe me if I told you I’ve never done karaoke before? It’s really not my thing. Singing and dancing in the shower though, now that’s where I shine. So it would probably be something by Madison Beer? If I’m not listening to EDM (which I usually am).

Android or iOS and why?

AA: I’ll have to go with iOS on this one. I think it’s much more aesthetic and fluid, it’s also functional and has almost zero bloatware. Then the software updates? Cmon, you can’t beat that. Also, most of my personal technology is Apple software, and the ecosystem is pretty neat.
Sorry, Andy.

You can wake up tomorrow morning as any superhero who would you be?

AA: Most probably the Scarlet Witch. Mind and time manipulation? I’d really be a Yoruba Demon.

Scarlet Witch Yoruba Demon Edition. Photo Credit (/reddit.com)

Beer, spirits or cocktails which would you banish forever forever?

AA: I think we as a collective need to come together and destroy the institution that is beer. It needs to go.

Which African celeb would you buy a drink and where would you take them?

AA: Probably Rema. and we’d go to Art Tech in Abuja. It’s a centre with galleries, bars and restaurants. Very chill, very relaxed. Let him breathe from that Lagos.

Your secret family recipe?

AA: We have none. I do make a mean Jollof rice sha.

What is your favourite holiday of the year?

AA: Ironically, Christmas. I get to see all my friends, and my birthday is on Boxing Day!

Of course you might not necessarily agree with ALL his choices or preferences but I would say give him time. If however you feel really strongly about anything he’s said, please use the comments section below.