Pawpaw vs. Meerkat: How two meme legends captured the Nigerian Internet

Memes have become essential to Nigerian digital expression. In a country where everyday reality blends humor, sarcasm, and silent judgment, memes offer the perfect language. Two of the most dominant characters in this meme landscape are Osita Iheme’s “Pawpaw”, and the more recent Meerkat meme, an AI-generated creature with street-style swagger and piercing side-eyes.

While Pawpaw is rooted in classic Nollywood and nostalgic emotion, Meerkat reflects the digital era’s appetite for trend-driven, AI-crafted content. This article explores their differences, similarities, impact, and why both icons continue to dominate timelines.

Who is Pawpaw? The Nollywood Meme King

Osita Iheme, popularly known as Pawpaw, shot to fame in early 2000s Nollywood movies, particularly in his comedic pairings with Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki). With his mischievous looks, small stature, and expressive body language, Pawpaw naturally became a meme goldmine long before social media went mainstream.

His facial expressions—ranging from confusion and sarcasm to defiance—make him one of the most versatile meme templates in Nigeria. These clips, mostly taken from real scenes in Nigerian movies, have now lived far beyond their film origins, spreading across continents and generations. Whether it’s a look of shock or petty satisfaction, Pawpaw’s images continue to speak volumes in group chats and social commentary.

Meerkat: The AI-Generated Meme Star

The Meerkat meme is a product of modern-day AI creativity, featuring a stylized meerkat standing upright, often with sunglasses, toothpicks, or tribal marks. Its visual expression is simple yet powerful—quiet judgment, smug calm, or a “you go explain taya” energy.

Introduced in 2025, the Meerkat meme quickly took over social media with captions in Nigerian Pidgin and local dialects. Nigerians relate to its body language, which mirrors a nation used to watching things unfold without necessarily intervening. It’s less about reacting loudly and more about side-eyeing the chaos while sipping your zobo.

Psychological Appeal: Silent Expression in a Loud Society

Both memes are beloved because they reflect a Nigerian social reality—people often see things, understand the full gist, but say nothing. Instead, they let body language and expressions do the talking. In a society where discretion and coded behavior are prized, this form of communication feels especially authentic.

Pawpaw represents the younger, more openly expressive version of this reality. His memes often say, “I’m watching and I have something to say.” Meerkat, in contrast, reflects the matured, minimalist shade—”I see everything, but I’ll say nothing.” Together, they balance comedy and commentary with precision.

Cultural Usage and Relatability

Pawpaw memes are commonly used in family chats, academic discussions, and humorous takes on religion or relationships. They work across ages and social classes, from market women to university students, making them some of the most adaptable in Nigerian meme history.

The Meerkat memes, on the other hand, are mostly applied to gossip situations, silent drama, relationship woes, and work politics. They thrive on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Twitter threads. Whether it’s someone saying “I love you” after cheating or a friend acting fake, the Meerkat is there to quietly catch the irony.

Celebrities and the Meme Wave

Nigerian celebrities are quick to jump on trends, and both Pawpaw and Meerkat memes have enjoyed star endorsements.

Pawpaw memes have been shared or referenced by Don Jazzy, Davido, Falz, and even international stars like 50 Cent. Their comedic range allows celebrities to express their moods in humorous ways without having to speak directly.

The Meerkat meme is currently enjoying viral status among influencers and actresses like Toke Makinwa, Funke Akindele, Regina Daniels, and Mr. Macaroni. They use it in relatable situations—like shade-throwing, observations at events, or relationship subtexts—proving just how wide its reach has become in a short time.

Platform Popularity: Old Guard vs New Generation

Pawpaw memes dominate traditional spaces—WhatsApp stickers, Facebook captions, and Instagram posts. They’re especially popular among older millennials and Gen X users, who still appreciate Nollywood classics.

Meerkat memes, meanwhile, shine in Gen Z environments. Their adaptability for TikTok videos, Twitter GIFs, and meme remixes makes them perfect for a generation that communicates through image and nuance. They’re often dressed up with Yoruba caps, sunglasses, and other edits that make them hyper-local and relevant.

Meme Symbolism: A Reflection of Nigerian Society

These memes aren’t just funny—they are symbolic. Pawpaw embodies the bold, witty child in every Nigerian family—fearless and expressive. Meerkat is the observer at the back of the room—quiet, calculating, but very aware.

Their popularity points to a shared cultural reality: Nigerians often navigate systems where speaking out can cost something. So we lean on symbols, humor, and meme culture to express feelings safely and powerfully. This makes both Pawpaw and Meerkat deeply therapeutic in the national psyche.

The Evolution of Meme Culture in Nigeria

Pawpaw paved the way for meme culture in Nigeria. His expressions were among the first to show the power of visuals in storytelling. He represents the legacy era of memes—rooted in real performance and emotion.

Meerkat represents the future of memes—AI-driven, versatile, and globally inspired but locally relevant. As internet tools evolve and Gen Z defines new language rules, characters like Meerkat will likely shape how humor, sarcasm, and critique are communicated.

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No Rivalry, Just Relevance

While comparisons are fun, Pawpaw and Meerkat serve different emotional tones. One is nostalgic and loud; the other is fresh and subtle. What unites them is their ability to help Nigerians cope, laugh, and observe without always reacting.

In a world full of pressure, these two meme icons remind us that sometimes, a look—whether from a Nollywood child star or a toothpick-chewing meerkat—is all we need to say everything.