Linda Ikeji

Ikeji was born and raised in a Catholic family in Nkwerre, Imo State, Southeast Nigeria. She is the second child. She began writing at the age of 10. She completed her secondary school education at the age of 17 and at 18, enrolled at the University of Lagos, where she studied English language. To assist her family and support herself through school, she held part-time jobs as a waitress, model, and writer.{{cite web|url=http://www.naij.com/tag/linda_ikeji.html|website=Naij|title=Linda Ikeji|accessdate=4 March 2015}}

Ikeji graduated from the university in 2004. In 2006, she started blogging as a hobby. At that time, the internet was not as prominent in Nigeria, and she had to make her posts at a cybercafé.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.ng/entertainment/what-you-didnt-know-about-linda-ikeji-the-popular-nigerian-blogger|title=What You Didn't Know about Linda Ikeji – Africa's Biggest Blogger|publisher=Wale Adeniyi|website=TheNews|date=15 October 2015|accessdate=8 April 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503143733/https://www.thenews.ng/entertainment/what-you-didnt-know-about-linda-ikeji-the-popular-nigerian-blogger/|archivedate=3 May 2016}}{{Cite web|title=Profile Of Linda Ikeji, Queen of Bloggers|url=https://www.legit.ng/1118422-linda-ikeji-biography.html|date=2016-09-06|website=Newsday Nigeria|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-05-27}}

Ikeji started blogging in 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.ventures-africa.com/2013/06/blogging-home-the-bacon-the-linda-ikeji-story/|author=Folake Soetan|title=Blogging Home The Bacon: The Linda Ikeji Story|work=Ventures Africa|date=2 June 2013|accessdate=19 February 2015}} She became an active blogger in 2007 using the Blogger sub-domain 'lindaikeji.blogspot.com' and later obtained her own domain, 'www.lindaikejisblog.com'.{{cite web|url=http://www.techcabal.com/2015/09/30/linda-ikeji-finally-gets-her-own-domain-name/ |author= Ibukun Taiwo |title=Linda Ikeji finally gets her own domain name|work=Techcabal|date=30 September 2015|accessdate=7 April 2016}} She also ventured into online radio broadcasting. The station is operated from the Linda Ikeji Media Office. Some of its programmes are broadcast live on Linda Ikeji TV.{{cite web|last=Korede|first=Mike|date=|title=Linda Ikeji TV, Linda Ikeji Radio, Music, Linda Ikeji TV, Linda Ikeji Radio, Music, Studio and Lis Coming Soon Studio and Lis Coming Soon|url=https://techproducts.com.ng/linda-ikeji-tv-linda-ikeji-radio-music-studio-and-lis-coming-soon/|accessdate=18 January 2018}}{{Cite web|date=2018-08-29|title=How Nigerian Female Mediaprenuers Are Taking Over The Tech Industry|url=https://guardian.ng/life/life-features/how-nigerian-female-mediaprenuers-are-taking-over-the-tech-industry-2/|access-date=2021-09-25|website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News|language=en-US}}

Ikeji also opened a music platform known as LindaIkeji Music which was launched on 21 November 2016, but it became dormant three months after the launch.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2016/11/lindaikejimusiccom-debuts.html|title=LindaIkejiMusic.com debuts!|date=21 November 2016|website=Linda Ikeji's Blog}} She introduced a social networking platform named Linda Ikeji Social, operating on the domain name LindaIkejiSocial.com.

Ikeji runs a non-profit project themed "I'd rather be self-made; No thanks". In her interview with HipTV, she revealed that through the project, she assists young girls aged 16–25 who have great business ideas and are willing to venture into entrepreneurship. She gave out the sum of ₦10,000,000 in Phase 1 of the project.

In 2023, Ikeji made her debut into the Nigerian film production, by producing her first movie titled Dark October which told the story of the Aluu Four lynching.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-21 |title=Linda Ikeji makes film production debut with dark October |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/linda-ikeji-makes-film-production-debut-with-dark-october/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Aluu Four lynching: Netflix to exclusively stream Linda Ikeji's "Dark October" |url=https://vocal.media/criminal/aluu-four-lynching-netflix-to-exclusively-stream-linda-ikeji-s-dark-october |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Criminal |language=en}}

In August 2012, Forbes Africa dedicated itself to celebrating African women in that month's issue. In that issue, Forbes profiled Africa's 20 Most Prominent Women and the issue featured profiles on two young Nigerian women: Linda Ikeji, as well as Chibundu Onuzo.{{cite web|url=https://www.jessynaija.org/you-want-to-become-a-blogger-here-are-beginers-guide/|title=You Want To Be A Blogger?|work=jessynaija.org|accessdate=7 April 2016}} The name Linda Ikeji was the most searched item by users of Google in Nigeria.{{cite web|url=https://jessynaija.org/superstar-blogger-linda-ikeji-tops-google-trends-searches-for-2014-in-nigeria|title=Google trends of 2014: Lindaikeji tops Nigeria search list|work=jessynaija.org|accessdate=7 April 2016}}

Ikeji was interviewed by BBC on their Focus on Africa programme.{{cite web|url=https://www.naij.com/9787.html|title= Linda Ikeji at BBC Africa! (PHOTOS) |work=Naij.com|date= 25 September 2012 |publisher=Clement Ejiofor|accessdate=9 April 2016}} The interview aired on 25 September 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-19722763.html|title= Nigerian blogger Linda Ikeji on gossip and news |publisher=BBC News|date=25 September 2012|accessdate=9 April 2016}}

On 8 August 2018, Linda Ikeji was among eminent personalities drawn from different countries across multiple disciplines who were conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degree from Trinity International University in Georgia for her outstanding job in Business and Media in Africa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2018/08/linda-ikeji-conferred-honorary-doctorate-degree-trinity-international-university-georgia/|title=Linda Ikeji Conferred with Honorary Doctorate Degree from Trinity International University in Georgia - BellaNaija|website=www.bellanaija.com|date=8 August 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=24 August 2018}} Others conferred includes Steve Egboro, Nigerian filmmaker and event manager, Chairman Daily Times Newspaper, Dr. Fidelis Anosike, Dr. Obeahon Ohiwerei, GMD/ CEO of Keystone Bank Limited, renowned lawyer Mike Ozekhome and few others.{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/life/film/filmmaker-egboro-bags-honorary-doctorate-degree-in-atlanta/|title=Filmmaker, Egboro bags honorary doctorate degree in Atlanta|access-date=24 August 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://goldmyne.tv/news/filmmaker-steve-egbo-gets-honorary-doctorate-degree/|title=Filmmaker Steve Egbo gets honorary doctorate degree - Goldmyne.TV|last=Correspondent|first=Special|date=23 August 2018|work=Goldmyne.TV|access-date=24 August 2018|language=en-US}}

Ikeji has dealt with controversial posts which include the #SaveMayowa Campaign and also about celebrities such as Funke Akindele, Richard Mofe Damijo, Djimon Honsou, Wizkid and Tonto Dikeh.{{cite web|url=http://www.modernghana.com/music/29103/3/funke-akindeles-lawyers-write-linda-ikeji-you-went.html|title=Funke Akindele's Lawyers Write Linda Ikeji 'YOU WENT TOO FAR'|work=modernghana.com|date= 26 January 2015|accessdate=19 February 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/18084/4/rmd-fights-linda-ikejitells-her-to-get-a-life.html|title=RMD Fights Linda Ikeji? Tells Her To Get A Life|author=Osaremen Ehi James|work=NigeriaFilms|date=6 July 2012|accessdate=20 February 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220024301/http://www.nigeriafilms.com/news/18084/4/rmd-fights-linda-ikejitells-her-to-get-a-life.html|archivedate=20 February 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://ireporterstv.co/actor-rmd-warns-linda-ikeji-to-stop-spreading-lies-about-him/|title=Actor RMD Warns Linda Ikeji to Stop Spreading Lies About Him|work=ireporterstv.co|accessdate=20 February 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.naij.com/52985.html|title='U're Dying Slowly' – Tonto Dike Attacks Popular Blogger, Linda Ikeji, Over Fake News|work=NEWS.NAIJ.COM |date=26 November 2013 |accessdate=20 February 2015}} She also made controversial publications about politician Doyin Okupe who described the publications as defamatory.{{cite web|url=http://newswirengr.com/2015/02/14/defamation-okupes-lawyers-write-linda-ikeji-demand-retraction-and-published-apology-over-false-story/|title=Defamation: Okupe's Lawyers Write Linda Ikeji; Demand Retraction And Published Apology Over False Story|work=NewsWireNGR|date=14 February 2015 |accessdate=20 February 2015}}

Ikeji's blog was shut down on 8 October 2014 but restored on 10 October 2014 around midnight by Google for undisclosed reasons. Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google's West Africa spokesperson, said: "We take violations of policies very seriously as such activities diminish the experience for our users. When we are notified of the existence of content that may violate our Terms of Service, we act quickly to review it and determine whether it actually violates our policies. If we determine that it does, we remove it immediately."{{cite web|author=Onyinye Muomah|url=http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/169287-google-restores-linda-ikeji-blog.html|title=Google restores Linda Ikeji Blog |work=Premium Times Nigeria|date=10 October 2014|accessdate=19 February 2015}}

Ikeji revealing that she was pregnant was quite controversial as several ladies who looked up to her were disappointed at the fact that she preached celibacy and went ahead to get pregnant out of wedlock.{{Cite web|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/301094-linda-ikeji-apologises-to-fans-for-having-child-out-of-wedlock.html|title=Linda Ikeji apologises to fans for having a child out of wedlock|website=Premium Times Nigeria|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|date=2018-12-14|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-04}}

In 2018, the online editor for the Punch Newspaper, John Abayomi, threatened to file a lawsuit against Ikeji for an untrue story about him being the owner of instablog9ja. He also claimed the publication put his life and that of his family in danger.{{Cite web|url=https://m.guardian.ng/news/john-abayomi-denies-ownership-of-instablog9ja-threatens-to-sue-linda-ikeji/|access-date=2021-02-10|website=m.guardian.ng|title=John Abayomi denies ownership of Instablog9ja, threatens to sue Linda Ikeji |date=17 November 2018 }}

Ikeji says she and her son's father Sholaye Jeremi are not suitable partners. She took to her blog to detail reasons why her relationship with her son's father, whom she met in December 2015, didn't work out as expected.{{cite news |last1=Polycarp |first1=Nwafor |title=My baby Daddy and I are not suitable–Linda Ikeji |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/12/my-baby-daddy-and-i-are-not-suitable-linda-ikeji/ |accessdate=7 January 2019 |work=Vanguard News Nigeria |publisher=vanguard |date=14 December 2018}}

• List of Nigerian bloggers
• List of Igbo people

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• {{Official website|www.lindaikejisblog.com}}

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Category:Living people

Category:Nigerian bloggers

Category:1980 births

Category:People from Imo State

Category:University of Lagos alumni

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Category:21st-century Nigerian businesswomen

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