Alphonso Olajide Babatunde Builds EyesofLagos into a Global Digital Media Brand
 |
| Alphonso Olajide Babatunde |
From starting a blog with just ₦500 and a second-hand BlackBerry phone to building a digital publishing platform with more than 80,000 TikTok followers and over 30 million video views, Alphonso Olajide Babatunde is steadily establishing his presence in Nigeria’s digital media and entertainment industry.
Alphonso is a Nigerian blogger, publisher, digital strategist and entrepreneur, best known as the founder of EyesofLagos.com, a growing digital media platform focused on entertainment, lifestyle, business, culture and trending stories.
His entrepreneurial journey began during a period of financial difficulty. After gaining admission to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), his family could not afford the tuition fees required for him to continue his education. He subsequently began working at a friend’s mother’s café, where he discovered blogging and the opportunities available through the internet.
With approximately ₦500 and a second-hand BlackBerry phone, he started experimenting with online publishing, learning content creation and audience development. His early blogging activities eventually helped him raise money to register for another JAMB examination. He later gained admission to The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where he studied Computer Science.
Building EyesofLagos into a Digital Media Brand
What began as a modest blogging venture gradually developed into EyesofLagos.com, a platform created to promote entertainment, spotlight emerging personalities, provide business visibility and tell stories about Nigerian society.
Through consistent publishing, search engine optimisation and social media distribution, Alphonso has worked to expand the platform’s reach. EyesofLagos has reportedly recorded more than 100,000 monthly website visits, while its TikTok presence has grown to over 80,000 followers and accumulated more than 30 million video views within nine months.
A significant milestone in his blogging career came in 2017, when one of his major stories gained wider visibility after being featured by Instablog9ja and attracting attention on Nairaland. The experience strengthened his belief in the potential of independent digital publishers to reach large audiences.
Professional Experience and Entertainment Industry Contributions
Alphonso’s professional experience spans digital marketing, website administration, social media management, content development and online brand positioning. His engagements include Eyes of Lagos Media, Ibejulekkilawyer, Gtext Media, PropertyGallery, Osas Vision Music and Mixnaija Entertainment.
He has also participated in music promotion and publicity campaigns connected to Nigerian entertainment personalities and artists, including Tclassic, DJ Baddo, DJ Humility, Portable, Kogbagidi and Bilique. One notable experience was his involvement with the promotional team associated with Tclassic, contributing to efforts aimed at expanding the artist’s visibility and audience reach, alongside industry collaborators such as Mixnaija Entertainment.
His areas of expertise include digital publishing, website development, search engine optimisation, social media strategy, promotional design, content creation, music marketing and brand development.
Mentorship and Personal Influences
Alphonso acknowledges the important role of mentorship and personal relationships in shaping his journey. He pays tribute to his late elder brother, Alphonso Kehinde, whose early guidance influenced his formative years.
He also recognises Dr. Stephen Akintayo of Gtext Media for the professional exposure and mentorship that strengthened his understanding of corporate structures, discipline and organisational development. Another important influence is Mr. Lucky Ekenonmaghele, whom he regards as a mentor and father figure, particularly for his guidance on accountability, responsibility and leadership.
A Bigger Vision Beyond Digital Publishing
Although EyesofLagos remains central to his entrepreneurial journey, Alphonso’s ambitions extend into the wider media and technology industries. His long-term vision is to develop an international African media organisation capable of promoting African stories, discovering creative talent and connecting the continent’s entertainment industry with global audiences.
His plans also include establishing a record label to discover and develop emerging musicians, building an IT and digital solutions company focused on website and application development, and creating business automation solutions that simplify operations, recruitment integration and data management.
An equally important part of his vision is investing in young Africans through practical training and opportunities in media, entertainment, technology and digital entrepreneurship. He hopes to establish a media and digital skills academy that will equip young people with relevant skills to participate in the growing digital economy.
The Journey Continues
Alphonso Olajide Babatunde’s journey reflects the possibilities of digital entrepreneurship in a rapidly changing Nigeria. From exploring blogging with limited resources to developing a media platform, building a substantial social media audience and participating in entertainment marketing, his experience demonstrates the value of persistence, continuous learning and resourcefulness.
Through EyesofLagos.com, he continues to pursue his ambition of building a Nigerian-born media and technology brand with international relevance.
For Alphonso, EyesofLagos is more than an online publication; it is the foundation of a larger vision to create opportunities, promote African creativity and build a media and technology organisation capable of reaching audiences across the world.
No comments: