Encomium
Much to the pride of Nigerians across the country, media and tech executive, Alex Okosi has just been named as one of Britain’s 100 most influential black people in the Powerlist 2022.
Okosi, who is Managing Director, Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA, received the honour for the second year running.
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 Sports.
No fewer than 27 Nigerian-born British descents have been included on the list. Past Nigerian honourees have included Classical musician and founder of Chineke! Orchestra, Chi-chi Nwanoku; Actor, John Boyega; CIO Homeserve, Femi Bamisaiye; Founder/CEO of Daniel Ford & Co., Yemi Edun; Senior VP-North Sea BP, Emeka Emembolu; and Public Policy Director, Africa at Facebook, Ebele Okobi.
Speaking on the recognition, Okosi said, “Growing up first in Nigeria and later in the USA in the mid-1980s, I found black role models were few and far between; I chose my role models from sportspeople and entertainers because those were the only black faces I saw in the media, in films, and on TV.
Fast forward to now, and I am beyond thrilled to see the incredible range of representation and diversity highlighted by the UK Powerlist 2023. While the goal of equal representation is still a way off, I am thankful that my kids and your kids and their kids after them will have these shining role models and many more to inspire and lead them.”
Okosi spent 22 years at ViacomCBS in the US, Europe and Africa before taking on the role at YouTube. 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 maximize YouTube’s growth and partnerships with creators, artists, gamers and media partners.
