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What is YouTube to you? What do you think about that makes you go, “Let me search YouTube…?” As someone who learns faster with visual aids, I can confidently tell you that YouTube has everything you need. From makeup, business tips, music, study tutorials, sports, cooking recipes, movies, web series, and travel vlogs to personal development, this superb platform has endless options.

What makes YouTube exceptionally intriguing is the freedom and flexibility that it accords content creators. There’s room to create content as far as your imagination can stretch while adhering to the platform’s rules. As such, there’s a burst of creativity flowing from every corner.

I spend so much time on YouTube and it was shocking to me when I realised that I don’t have any articles about it. With over 6,000+ watched videos and 576 subscriptions, it wasn’t easy to select just 20 channels that I highly recommend so believe me when I say they were carefully selected. Let’s explore!

1. The School of Life

As the name implies, this YouTube channel is for everyone who seeks to achieve emotional maturity and stability while grasping the overall concept of life and living. The animated style of each video is unique, simple and appealing. Top this with the narration and voice of the narrator, Alain de Botton. Each video typically ranges from 3 to 15 minutes.

2. Best Ever Food Review Show

I’ve gone fishing in Iceland, hunted exotic animals in Namibia and eaten Japanese street food in Tokyo without a visa to these countries via this YouTube channel. It’s more than just food. The host and owner of this channel, Sonny, takes you on a tour of every country he visits. He immerses you in their culture, making you understand what they eat and why they eat those foods. His wit and relatable personality make his videos even more interesting to watch. It’s the best ever food review show and you should check it out.

3. Bright Side

Do you enjoy riddles, myths, true stories, self-improvement tips, psychology and recent discoveries? Then, this is your go-to channel. Bright Side videos feel like when you’re out of school on an excursion- it’s an adventure in every sense. The videos are colourful and suitable for both adults and children.

4. Theniyifagbemi

Photographers and filmmakers like Niyi Fagbemi deserve their flowers here and now. I discovered his YouTube channel when his Ojude Oba video went viral on social media a few months ago and I was stunned! His shooting angles, editing and photography are top-notch. If you wish to know more about Nigerian festivals and tourist destinations, you need to subscribe to this channel.

5. TEDx Talks

With over 7 billion views, this is one channel that needs to be part of your YouTube subscriptions. Get this; TEDx events are produced independently of TED conferences as each event curates speakers on their own, but based on TED’s format and rules. These conferences provide a platform for people from all walks of life to share their ideas with a global audience. If you want to think differently with an open mind, this one’s for you.

6. First We Feast

This YouTube channel has 7 different shows/segments of which Hot Ones is the most popular, followed by Snacked. The former has produced memes, GIFs and stickers for days! This show is hosted by Sean Evans and his guests are mostly Hollywood celebrities. Guests must join him in eating a progressively spicy chicken wing as he engages them in an interview. It’s hilarious and insightful all at once as Sean asks the most gripping questions. If you enjoy pop culture, report here.

7. Dr. Jennifer Lincoln

Hey ladies, get in here!! You’re on YouTube and not subscribed to Dr. Jennifer’s channel? Come on now! She has any information you need about our sexual and reproductive health as women. Her delivery is fun and concise so you’ll find her videos to be delightful.

8. Uduak Isong TV

Do you love Nigerian (Nollywood) movies and the new actors on the scene? This channel will interest you more than Netflix. Yes, I said it. Uduak Isong is such an incredible writer and producer. Her stories are fresh and not the usual stereotyped Nollywood stuff that we used to know.

9. Mildred Kingsley-Okonkwo

This one is for my Christian brethren, especially the ladies- both single and married. Pastor Mildred’s illustrative way of scriptural teaching and down-to-earth preaching make her one of the most relatable pastors ever. She preaches the word of God in such a way that anybody can understand. She’s authentic and inspiring.

10. Vox

Vox videos help you understand the whys, hows and whats of things that affect our daily lives such as politics, religion, technology, sports and entertainment. They answer those questions that you randomly ask yourself like, “Why did Hitler hate the Jews?” or “How was cotton candy invented?” It’s a whole knowledge vault and their videos are pretty straightforward.

11. TED-Ed

I love getting video notifications from this channel and I’m not sure if it’s because of the animation or narration style of their videos. TED-Ed simplifies the most complex concepts, making them exciting and relatable with lessons at the end. I highly recommend this channel for secondary school and university students.

12. Koboko Fitness

I gained so much weight in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown and needed to lose it thereafter. During my search for home workout videos, I came across this channel and my search ended. What struck me the most about Kola’s workout routines is the fact that she doesn’t use any equipment and her workouts are targeted at women. She has a bubbly personality so you’re bound to have some fun while exercising.  Most workouts on this channel are bodyweight exercises. You’ll get butt workouts, lower body workouts, abs workouts, upper body workouts, back fat workouts, arm workouts. Every type of workout you can do at home.

Honestly, seeing video notifications from this channel makes me feel guilty because I’ve been too lazy to work out. Do you prefer home workouts or you’d rather go to the gym? Tell me in the comments.

13. Big Think

As the name suggests, you’re challenged to think big and outside the box on this channel. Their videos are short and precise- helping you get smarter, faster. I rate this channel highly because they get to invite eccentric thinkers who are seasoned professionals and experts from every field to give insights into any chosen topic.

14. How Ridiculous

Let your hair down, unclench your jaw and get ready to have some crazy adrenaline rush through your screen! This channel is owned by 3 Australian guys who play the most ridiculous and bizarre games that you only get to see in your dreams. These games are usually race-themed involving lots of balloons and colours. It’s insane but in a good way. Sometimes, play. Can’t always be serious.

15. Tayo Aina

I love seeing Nigerian creatives fulfill their content creation dreams and Tayo is one of such. He makes the most inspiring and eye-opening videos about Africa and Africans in the diaspora who are making an impact in their chosen fields. His style of storytelling is visually appealing and you can’t help but appreciate his filmmaking and editing skills.

16. Crash Course

This is the ultimate visual aid for university students in general. It makes me somewhat sad that I had no idea about the existence of YouTube channels such as this when I was an undergraduate. YouTube was relatively new at the time and most of us only went there to watch music videos on Vevo. I digress. If you’re an undergraduate or simply carrying out research on certain courses, this is the channel for you.

17. Dimma Umeh

I had to include this channel on this list maybe because of some sentiments, but I did what I did. Formerly known as That Igbo Chick, Dimma Umeh is an OG Nigerian YouTuber. I discovered her YouTube channel in 2014 when I was at NYSC camp. My interest in makeup was at an all-time high so I was searching for realistic makeup tutorials from a relatable, preferably Nigerian girl like me and that’s when I came across her channel.

This one is for my ladies (apologies to my male readers). For makeup tips, lifestyle tips and vlogs, you should check out Dimma Umeh on YouTube.

18. Ify’s Kitchen

Everybody should know how to cook because why not? We all eat so we might as well know how to whip up some meals to keep our bodies nourished. I got to know about Ify’s YouTube channel this year and I haven’t regretted being a subscriber. She makes meal preparation look simple and fun. I particularly love her presentation style and how she’s not limited to just Nigerian foods. She explores other African dishes and offers tips to source ingredients and how to make them if necessary.

19. Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell

If you want to test how strongly rooted you are in your faith and beliefs, subscribe to this channel and challenge yourself. This channel explains things about the world with optimistic nihilism. The videos are short, surprisingly colourful and insightful.

20. Fisayo Fosudo

Do you like watching gadget unboxing videos? If yes, this one’s for you. However, this channel is beyond that. Fisayo talks about all things Tech and Fintech related. I particularly like how he explains the features and specifications of gadgets, especially phones. So if you’re wondering whether to get the latest Samsung phone or Macbook, Fisayo has some great advice for you.

There you have it! Did I mention channels that you’re already subscribed to? What sort of content do you enjoy watching on YouTube? Are there channels that you want me to check out? Share with me in the comments. It’s always a delight interacting with you.