American streamer IShowSpeed hits 50m subscribers as he marks 21st birthday in Nigeria

Popular American YouTuber and Twitch streamer IShowSpeed has reached a major milestone, surpassing 50 million subscribers while visiting Nigeria as part of his ongoing African tour.

The 21-year-old content creator arrived in Lagos on Wednesday, touring the city widely regarded as Nigeria’s cultural and economic hub. His visit coincided with his birthday celebrations, making the achievement even more significant.

IShowSpeed’s Africa tour began on December 29 and has taken him to about 15 countries across the continent, drawing large crowds at nearly every stop. His growing global influence was recently recognised by Rolling Stone magazine, which named him the Most Influential Creator of 2025, while Forbes estimates his net worth at $20 million.

The streamer kicked off his Lagos visit at the bustling Balogun Market on Lagos Island, where excited onlookers surrounded him, with some asking for money.

Visibly overwhelmed, he remarked, “What are they saying? It’s like they’re speaking English, but a different kind of English,” before leaving the market under heavy security.

At Freedom Park, a historic site that once served as a colonial-era prison, IShowSpeed sampled Nigerian jollof rice for the first time and reacted to its spicy taste. He later visited the renowned Nike Art Gallery, a popular destination for international celebrities and top political figures visiting Lagos.

At about 6:00 pm (1700 GMT), IShowSpeed pulled over his security convoy by the roadside to watch his YouTube channel cross the 50-million-subscriber mark live. He celebrated the moment by pushing his face into a birthday cake.

Born in Cincinnati as Darren Jason Watkins Jr., IShowSpeed began his online journey about a decade ago, initially posting video game content before expanding into lifestyle and travel videos that boosted his international following.

His African tour has featured several headline-grabbing moments, including racing against a cheetah in South Africa, playing football with 100 children in Angola, visiting Kenya’s Maasai community, attending the AFCON final in Morocco, and celebrating Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations victory in Dakar a day before his Lagos stop.

With Nigeria now added to the list, IShowSpeed’s African tour continues to spotlight culture, entertainment and cross-continental engagement for his millions of followers worldwide.

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