Nigerian photojournalist Pooja, taking TikTok follower feedback seriously to boost World Cup content

Digital services provider and accredited FIFA and CAF photojournalist, Pooja has covered international competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, several AFCONs, AWCON, and the highly acclaimed Commonwealth Games. This avid football aficionado shares how his enduring love of the sport has shaped his life and how his TikTok followers help shape what he shares on the platform.


What sparked your initial interest in football and how did that lead to where you are now?

Playing football on the street from a very young age sparked my interest in the game, which I carried over to a football-watching center at university. From there, my love for football continued to grow.


What are your thoughts on the growing popularity of women in football?

I was at the Women’s AFCON in Morocco and the energy and support for women’s football was out of this world. If Africa can achieve that type of hype in 2022, the World Cup will be even more amazing. I can’t wait to be in Australia.


How do you believe global football tournaments such as the FIFA Women's World Cup can further empower women in the sport?

I believe good publicity and coverage of the tournament can go a long way toward convincing girls to get involved in football at the grassroots level and also for women’s administrators to continue to invest in the sport.


Can you share some insight into the feedback and reactions received from your audience on TikTok regarding your content and how these responses shaped your subsequent work?

My biggest feedback was at the World Cup in Qatar when I was told that I wasn’t doing enough with my content. I pushed to do more and gained additional followers. Now, I am headed to the World Cup to do what I love most.


How will you be using TikTok as a platform to showcase your talents and engage with audiences during the FIFA Women's World Cup?

During my coverage of the World Cup in Qatar, I realized that soft videos of the fans and sights and sounds of the country, as well as short previews and reviews of matches, garnered good numbers. I was consistent with my approach and would be doing the same and more in Australia.