23 year old Olayinka Oladiran, the winner of the 2016 MTV Base VJ Search came on board with her bubbly personality, relaxed stage presence, and the ability to relate to the audience for her to win. She has spoken how it was to win the competition.
In her words “It was mad. When I came, some people thought I have accent and all that but this is Nigeria, there are people who wouldn’t understand you as you speak your accent. I thank God for my mom, when we were in America, she used to speak Yoruba to us, I think that made me stand out. They know I can still relate with people in their culture despite my accent. I think all the challenges were stepping stones to where I am today. I thank God for my family and friends who kept telling me to stay on my lane and remain focused.”
She was in the US working for ESPN, a sport channels before she won. “ I was doing a lot of behind the scene for them. I am not just a presenter, I know directing, editing and producing as well. I was opportune to do some presenting for some big networks in the US. But, there is no place like home, this is where I want to be. I quit my job over there to come to Nigeria. When my mom heard she asked Kim se e (What is really wrong with you), I had to explain to her that it was Nigeria I wanted to be. She had to consent and she said okay, I should go ahead.”