Nigeria’s Alex Okosi named among Britain’s 100 Most Influential Black People

Nigerian media and tech executive, Alex Okosi, has been named as one of Britain’s 100 most influential black people in the Powerlist 2022. Now Managing Director, Emerging Markets, YouTube (EMEA), Okosi formerly helmed Viacom’s African operations, including music channel MTV Base. 

The Powerlist is an annual event that recognises the UK’s most powerful people of African, African-Caribbean and African American heritage. It honours outstanding men and women across Media, Tech, Business, the Arts, Fashion, Design, Entertainment, Education, Science, Politics, Public Sector, Law, Religion, and Sport. Past Powerlist honourees have included racing driver Lewis Hamilton, philanthropist Dr Mo Ibrahim, actor John Boyega and footballer, Raheem Stirling.

In a LinkedIn post, Okosi commented, “I am thrilled and humbled to join the #powerlist2022 and be named as one of Britain’s most influential black people alongside Marcus Rashford, Michaela Coel, Idris Elba, Daniel Kaluuya, Ebele Okobi, Jacky Wright, Anne Mensah and many others. Thanks to POWERFUL Media, JP Morgan, PwC, Dame Linda Dobbs and her fellow judges for their belief in and support of #blackexcellence.”

Congratulating Okosi on the landmark recognition, BHM’s founder Ayeni Adekunle said, “It is incredible to see a Nigerian business icon like Alex making the Powerlist, only 18 months after his move to the UK, and wonderful to see his business acumen and success recognised and appreciated among the UK’s most influential people.”

Okosi spent 22 years at ViacomCBS in the US, Europe and Africa. Among his career highlights was developing the business plan and leading the rollout of the conglomerate’s entry into Africa. Not only was he responsible for driving the development and growth of entertainment brands BET, Comedy Central, MTV, MTV Base, MTV Music, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr and NickToons across Africa, he was also charged with leading the BET business in Europe and Asia. 

Having joined YouTube in April 2020, Okosi is responsible for the platform’s growth in Russia, Africa, the Middle East and Turkey, driving strategies to maximise YouTube’s growth and partnerships with creators, artists, gamers and media partners.