By Joseph Alani
In our own clime, dance has never been just dance --- you sha know as e dey go, everything about us is uniquely unique. Lol --- it’s a passport to fame, a tool for storytelling, and sometimes, a spark that sets the entire nation and even the world ablaze with energy through viral rhythms. From galala to sekem, shaku shaku, skelewu, shoki, azonto, a wave of iconic steps resulting in dance trends haven't just set dance floors on fire; they have made stars, shaped memes, birthed slang, and created cultural conversations that spilled from streets onto global social media, platforms.
1. Zanku (Legwork)
Back in 2018, Zanku, short for “Zlatan Abeg No Kill Us’’, exploded from Lagos mainland parties into the mainstream, driven by the relentless energy of Zlatan Ibile. First introduced in Chinko Ekun's “Able God", Legwork, with its sharp footwork, kicks, and spins, was more than just a dance: it became a phenomenon that swept clubs, streets, and churches alike. People who didn’t even know the lyrics could Zanku, and soon Instagram was packed with dance battles and skits, while Twitter buzzed with memes captioned things like “If I Zanku into your life, no more sorrow.” The move elevated Zlatan into a superstar and opened the door for dancers and hype men to become celebrities in their own right, proving that a great dance could carry you far beyond the music itself
2. Tesumole
Like someone on a mission after his controversial “Soapy”, Naira Marley returned with “Tesumole” later that same year (2019), gifting fans a dance that blended high-energy foot stomps and semi-spiritual theatrics. The dance looked like a ritual at times, with people stomping as though casting out demons. Gospel remixes began circulating, transforming “Tesumole” into a spiritual warfare anthem, while Twitter ran wild with varying captions. Once again, Naira Marley demonstrated how a dance could be equal parts hype and cultural commentary, solidifying the power of viral choreography in shaping Nigerian pop and cultural commentary, solidifying the power of viral choreography in shaping Nigerian pop discourse.
3. Gbe Body E / Poco Dance
Around the same period, Poco Lee, a dancer rather than a musician, rose to stardom by inventing and popularizing the Poco dance, often shouted as “gbe body e.” It was an electrifying combo of shoulder bounces and fluid legwork that made appearances in hit songs like Burna Boy and Zlatan’s “Killin Dem.” Poco Lee’s constant presence in music videos and on social media turned him into one of Nigeria’s first true dance influencers, landing him brand deals and collaborations with the biggest names in music. The phrase “gbe body e” entered street slang, meaning “move with confidence” or “show your sauce,” and dancers everywhere suddenly became celebrities. Thanks to Poco’s blueprint course.
4. Odogwu Paranran Moves
In 2025, a new kind of dance trend has emerged. It's less about choreography and more about personality swagger. The phrase “odogwu paranran” was first popularized by Uzor Arukwe’s flamboyant character in Omoni Oboli’s film “Love in Every Word”, leading to a unique set of moves defined by confident struts, elaborate foot taps, and boss-like shoulder bounces. TikTok exploded with users performing slow-motion “odogwu walks,” paired with captions like “The only man who enters rooms with soundtrack.” It became a meme symbol for anyone wanting to show off their inner big man energy, proving that in 2025, even dialogue from Nollywood could spark a viral dance moment.
5. Amapiano Shoki / Soweto Spin
The South African Amapiano wave crashed ontoNigeria’s shores in 2022 and began merging with local flavors. It brought with it a new kind of dance energy influencing songs like Victony’s “Soweto” to lead a unique Nigerian twist on the dance floors, involving graceful hand waves, waist rolls, and dramatic spins now known in some circles as the Soweto spin. TikTok lit up with slow-motion videos showing dancers twisting their hips and gliding their arms in sync with the bouncing Amapiano beat, often paired with fashion statements and aesthetic filters. Twitter and Instagram celebrated the trend, dubbing it “Detty December Ballet,” and it quickly became a symbol of youthful coolness and cross-cultural fusion, proving that dance could be elegant and viral all at once.
6. Excess Van’s Prophecy Dance
Rounding out the dance revolution is Excess Van, who shot to viral fame in 2025 with his gospel-infused track “Prophecy.” His song inspired a dance challenge blending prayer-like gestures, expressive hand sweeps, dramatic spins, and an aura of spiritual celebration. Many celebrities jumped on it. TikTok caught fire with over 600,000 videos set to the track, while Instagram reels featured people performing the choreography with captions like “casting away 2024’s curses.” Memes portrayed dancers as spiritual warriors battling unseen forces, and Twitter debated whether the dance was more prayer or performance art. The dance spilled over into churches, concerts, and comedy skits, cementing Excess Van’s place in pop culture and proving once again that gospel music is no longer confined to quiet devotion but is fully intertwined with digital virality and meme culture.
We can't deny, at this point, that dance trends have become far more than steps to music. They are now vehicles of identity, community, humor, rebellion, and pure joy. They have catapulted unknown names, underground artistes into celebrities, defined entire seasons of social media discourse, and showed the world that in Nigeria, dance is never just entertainment—it’s the heartbeat of the culture.
