People Profile: Niko Omilana

Nikolas Daniel Adegbajumo Omilana, also known by his short name Niko Omilana was born on March 4, 1998, in London, England. Born to an English mother and a Nigerian father of the Yoruba ethnic group, Omilana's heritage has played a central role in his public identity. His father is reported to hold a title within the Nigerian chieftaincy system, a detail Omilana has occasionally referenced with characteristic humor. Following his parents' divorce during his childhood, he relocated from London to Staffordshire, a landlocked county in the West Midlands. This move marked a significant cultural shift for Omilana, who transitioned from the diverse demographic of London to the predominantly white town of Stafford. In interviews conducted between 2020 and 2024, Omilana candidly discussed the challenges of his upbringing in Staffordshire. He described facing racial prejudice and bullying at his school, an experience he as pivotal in shaping his resilience and comedic voice. During a 2024 interview, he noted that he only began to feel fully comfortable in his identity while attending college. He attended Stafford College, where he studied media, a discipline that provided the technical foundation for his future career in digital content creation. Although he briefly enrolled in a university course studying Film and TV, he dropped out after a single day, a decision he has frequently as a commitment to practical content creation over academic theory. Omilana's entry into digital media began well before his professional adulthood. He registered his YouTube channel, originally titled "Niko Omilana," on June 21, 2011, at the age of 13. His early content followed the trends of the era, heavily focusing on the video game FIFA and short comedic skits. Unlike contemporaries who remained within the gaming niche, Omilana pivoted toward high-production pranks and "man-on-the-street" interviews. Before achieving independent sustainability, he worked professionally at BuzzFeed. This tenure served as a training ground where he refined his editing skills and understanding of viral metrics. He left BuzzFeed to pursue his independent channel full-time, a move that preceded his major viral successes in 2018.

Key Milestones: Early Career (2011 - 2019)

Year	Event	Significance
2011	Channel Launch	Registered YouTube channel at age 13, focusing on FIFA and skits.
2016-2017	BuzzFeed Era	Worked as a content creator/staff member before resigning to focus on solo work.
2018	EDL Prank	Went undercover at an English Defence League march; established the "NDL" brand.
2019	Beta Squad Formation	Co-founded the shared with Chunkz, Sharky, AJ Shabeel, and KingKennyTV.

The crystallization of Omilana's "Niko Defence League" (NDL) brand occurred in May 2018. He uploaded a video titled "Undercover as a Racist for 24 Hours," in which he infiltrated a protest by the far-right English Defence League (EDL) in Telford. The video, which showcased him mocking the protestors to their faces while disguised, went viral and established the satirical "NDL" as a counter-movement. This period defined his content style: high-risk, satirical journalism disguised as prank content. He followed this by tricking former EDL leader Tommy Robinson into promoting NDL merchandise on camera, a stunt that solidified his reputation for political satire. In early 2019, Omilana co-founded the British YouTube shared Beta Squad alongside fellow creators Chunkz, Sharky, AJ Shabeel, and KingKennyTV. The group moved into a shared mansion in London on February 14, 2019, marking a shift from solo content to collaborative, high-budget productions. This move coincided with a rapid expansion of his audience; he surpassed one million subscribers in August 2019. During this same period, he gained notoriety for successfully sneaking into the boxing ring during the KSI vs. Logan Paul rematch in Los Angeles, further validating his brand of "infiltration" content.

"I grew up in a place called Stafford... at 9 years old someone called me the N-word. I was bullied at my school. Me being black was the insult people would say. I really started building my identity throughout high school I think I really got on top of it in college." , Niko Omilana, discussing his childhood in a 2024 interview.

His family life, while private, includes a younger brother named Wisdom and two sisters. His father has appeared in select videos, frequently displaying a supportive stance toward Omilana's unconventional career route. By the end of 2019, Omilana had successfully transitioned from a local content creator in Staffordshire to a leading figure in UK digital entertainment, setting the stage for his high-profile political stunts in the following decade.

YouTube Career and the Niko Defence League

Niko Omilana's transition from gaming content to investigative satire and high- pranks established him as a significant figure in British digital media. While his channel, created in June 2011, initially hosted FIFA gameplay videos and sketches, he shifted focus around 2016 toward public pranks and vlogs. This pivot laid the groundwork for the "Niko Defence League" (NDL), a brand and community identity that parodies far-right movements while executing anti-racist satire. The NDL was formally conceptualized in May 2018, following the release of a video titled "Undercover as a Racist for 24 Hours." In this upload, Omilana infiltrated a protest by the English Defence League (EDL) in Telford, Shropshire. Disguised in camouflage gear and feigning with the group's ideology, he conducted mock interviews that exposed the contradictions and prejudices of the attendees. The video went viral, amassing millions of views and establishing the NDL as a satirical counter-movement. In December 2018, Omilana escalated this narrative by tricking EDL co-founder Tommy Robinson into endorsing "NDL" merchandise on camera, with Robinson unaware that the acronym stood for the "Niko Defence League." Omilana's content strategy frequently involves "Fake Employee" pranks, a series where he impersonates staff members at major retail and fast-food chains. These videos rely on social engineering, unauthorized uniforms, and deadpan improvisation to confuse customers and management. Notable entries in this series include operations at IKEA, Apple, and Subway. The format reached a peak in popularity with his McDonald's infiltrations. In August 2020, after being banned from multiple locations, Omilana opened a temporary pop-up restaurant titled "Not McDonald's." He sold burgers from a rival local business in custom packaging to a queue of over 1, 000 fans, circumventing his ban while generating significant media coverage. Beyond retail pranks, Omilana developed a reputation for infiltrating high-security sporting events, frequently under the persona "Ringside." His ability to bypass security at major boxing matches became a recurring theme. In August 2018, he successfully entered the ring during the KSI vs. Logan Paul fight at the Manchester Arena. He repeated the feat in November 2019 for the rematch at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. In August 2022, Omilana executed one of his most complex stunts by entering the ring at the O2 Arena for KSI's bout against Swarmz. He disguised himself as a seven-foot plastic bottle of Prime Hydration, the beverage brand co-owned by the fighters, allowing him to remain ringside until the post-fight celebration. The NDL brand evolved into a vehicle for more serious investigative satire in May 2022, when Omilana traveled to Harrison, Arkansas, frequently as one of the most racially divided towns in the United States. Posing as a BBC journalist, he secured an interview with Thomas Robb, the national director of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Through a series of manipulated questions and feigned ignorance, Omilana tricked Robb into shouting "BLM" (Black Lives Matter) on camera. The resulting video, "I Pranked America's Most Racist Man," was viewed over 40 million times and praised for using humor to extremist rhetoric.

Key Viral Stunts and Investigations

Date	Video/Event	Location	Details
May 2018	EDL Infiltration	Telford, UK	Infiltrated an English Defence League march; established the NDL.
December 2018	Tommy Robinson Prank	London, UK	Tricked the EDL founder into promoting NDL merchandise.
August 2019	1 Million Subscribers	YouTube	Reached the 1 million subscriber milestone on his main channel.
November 2019	KSI vs. Logan Paul II	Los Angeles, USA	Sneaked into the Staples Center ring during the main event.
September 2020	Not McDonald's	London, UK	Opened a fake franchise to sell burgers after being banned from real stores.
May 2022	KKK Prank	Harrison, Arkansas	Tricked KKK leader Thomas Robb into endorsing a BLM slogan.
August 2022	Prime Bottle Disguise	London, UK	Entered the boxing ring at the O2 Arena dressed as a giant hydration bottle.

Omilana's growth on the platform has been marked by consistent milestones. He surpassed one million subscribers in August 2019 and reached five million in May 2022. His work has received industry recognition, including a nomination for "Breakout YouTuber" at the 12th Shorty Awards in 2020. In 2021, he won "Personality of the Year" at the GRM Daily Rated Awards, a testament to his influence within British youth culture and the grime/rap scene. His content style, characterized by high production values and legitimate risk-taking, distinguishes him from traditional prank channels, positioning him as a satirical journalist within the creator economy.

Formation of Beta Squad

The Beta Squad was officially formed on February 14, 2019, marking a significant shift in the United Kingdom's digital entertainment sector. Unlike creator shared that emerge organically from existing friendship groups, the Beta Squad's inception was a structured "online reality project" orchestrated by Moxie, a talent management division of the multi-channel network Studio71 UK. The initiative was designed to centralize the audiences of five distinct content creators, Niko Omilana, Chunkz, Aj Shabeel, Sharky, and King Kenny, under a single brand, facilitated by a significant corporate investment. On February 22, 2019, the group announced their formation with a video titled "INTRODUCING... Beta Squad." This launch was supported by Studio71 UK, which funded a £4 million mansion in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, to serve as the group's base of operations. The arrangement required the members to live together for 12 months, producing daily content across YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. At the time of the launch, Omilana had approximately 633, 000 subscribers and was selected for his reputation as a "daring documentarian," known for his satirical and high-risk content. His inclusion was strategic, adding an element of unpredictability to the group's alongside King Kenny, who held the largest individual following at the time with 1. 7 million subscribers. The group's operational model differed from their predecessors, such as the Sidemen, by relying on a pre-financed infrastructure rather than gradual, self-funded growth. James Stafford, the Managing Director of Studio71 UK, described the project as the company's "biggest creator investment to date," aiming to cross-pollinate the fanbases of the five members. While the corporate backing provided the resources, the group's chemistry relied on pre-existing relationships: Chunkz and Sharky had collaborated since 2015, Chunkz and Aj Shabeel were former colleagues at a Cineworld cinema, and Omilana was already close friends with King Kenny.

Initial Content and Growth

The Beta Squad's content strategy focused on high-production challenge videos that utilized their shared living space. Their early output included titles such as "Who Can MAKE The MOST MONEY in 24 Hours Challenge," released on May 4, 2019, which garnered over 3. 1 million views. These videos established a format where members competed for cash prizes or to avoid punishments, a formula that drove rapid engagement. By November 17, 2020, the channel had surpassed 1 million subscribers, a milestone achieved even with a hiatus in mid-2019 and the logistical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beta Squad Founding Members (February 2019)

Member	Role / Niche	Approx. Subscribers at Launch	Pre-Formation Connection
Niko Omilana	Satire / Pranks	633, 000	Friend of King Kenny
King Kenny	Pranks / Gaming	1, 700, 000	Friend of Niko Omilana
Chunkz	Comedy / Music	533, 000	Friend of Sharky & Aj Shabeel
Sharky	Sports / Gaming	224, 000	Collaborator with Chunkz (2015)
Aj Shabeel	Challenges	119, 000	Coworker of Chunkz (Cineworld)

Omilana's role within the group quickly evolved beyond just a participant. His ability to generate viral moments, frequently through chaotic or subversive humor, made him a central figure in the group's identity. While Studio71 managed the business logistics, the creative direction was largely driven by the members themselves. Omilana frequently referenced the "investment deal" in his personal content, frequently using the corporate nature of the group's formation as a source of meta-humor. This transparency helped the group maintain authenticity even with the manufactured nature of their assembly. The "Beta Squad House" itself became a character in their content. The mansion featured a cinema room, extensive grounds for outdoor challenges, and dedicated filming spaces. yet, the living arrangement was not without instability. The group moved multiple times between 2019 and 2021, with Omilana and other members alluding to problem with landlords and the practical difficulties of maintaining a luxury property. In October 2020, they released a tour of a new £5 million property, signaling a reinvestment in the shared brand after their initial contract period with Moxie had concluded.

2021 London Mayoral Candidacy

In April 2021, Omilana formally registered as a candidate for the Mayor of London, entering a field dominated by established political heavyweights including incumbent Sadiq Khan and Conservative challenger Shaun Bailey. Running as an independent under the banner of the "Niko Defence League" (NDL), Omilana paid the required £10, 000 deposit to appear on the ballot. His campaign, while satirical in tone, operated with a digital- strategy that mobilized a demographic largely ignored by traditional party apparatuses. Omilana positioned himself as a direct challenge to the "unserious" nature of career politicians, utilizing absurdist humor to critique the political establishment. The campaign's manifesto was a collection of populist, comedic, and impossible pledges designed to go viral. Key policies included a mandate to "shush" Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a price cap on Freddo chocolate bars to return them to 5p, and a proposal to convert McDonald's locations with broken McFlurry machines into low-rent housing. Another proposal involved turning off London's power once a year for an event titled "Londoff." even with the farcical nature of these pledge, the campaign messaging resonated with younger voters who felt disenfranchised by the conventional political discourse. Omilana's slogan, "Vote Niko for Mayor of London on May 6th or your breath stinks," typified the campaign's refusal to adhere to standard political decorum.

Media Strategy and BBC Stunt

Omilana's media strategy bypassed traditional press junkets in favor of high-engagement stunts documented for his YouTube audience. A focal point of his campaign was his antagonism toward the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which he accused of ignoring young candidates. In a widely publicized stunt, Omilana stationed himself outside the BBC's Broadcasting House with a placard and later deployed a digital billboard van featuring his campaign imagery to demand coverage. The pressure tactics succeeded, resulting in an interview with BBC reporter Sam Francis. During the interview, Omilana wore children's sunglasses and delivered a deadpan performance that mocked the media training of his opponents. He stated, "The system is broken for young people and I am the only man to fix it," while simultaneously claiming to possess "more Knowledge, Strength, and Integrity" than other candidates, a thinly veiled reference to fellow YouTuber KSI. The interview was viewed millions of times online, vastly outperforming the digital reach of interviews with serious contenders like Sadiq Khan or Shaun Bailey.

Election Results

On May 6, 2021, the London Mayoral election concluded with Sadiq Khan securing a second term. yet, Omilana's performance was statistically significant for an independent candidate with no political experience. He received 49, 628 -preference votes, securing 5th place out of 20 candidates. This result placed him as the most successful independent in the race, notably outperforming high-profile candidates such as actor Laurence Fox (Reclaim Party) and Count Binface.

2021 London Mayoral Election: Top 6 Candidates ( Preference Votes)

Candidate	Party	Votes	% Share
Sadiq Khan	Labour	1, 013, 721	40. 0%
Shaun Bailey	Conservative	893, 051	35. 3%
Siân Berry	Green	197, 976	7. 8%
Luisa Porritt	Liberal Democrat	111, 716	4. 4%
Niko Omilana	Independent	49, 628	2. 0%
Laurence Fox	The Reclaim Party	47, 634	1. 9%

Although Omilana failed to reach the 5% threshold required to retrieve his £10, 000 deposit, the campaign was financially and culturally profitable as a content venture. His post-election video, "How I Won The London Mayor Election," amassed over 16 million views, generating revenue that likely eclipsed the lost deposit. Political commentators noted that Omilana's ability to mobilize nearly 50, 000 voters purely on "vibes" and anti-establishment sentiment highlighted a growing disconnect between the electorate's youngest bracket and traditional political.

2024 General Election Campaign

In May 2024, following the announcement of the United Kingdom general election, Niko Omilana declared his intention to stand as an independent candidate. Unlike his 2021 London Mayoral run, which focused on a broad satirical platform, his 2024 campaign was explicitly targeted at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Omilana stated his primary objective was to "remove Rishi" from the political sphere, framing his candidacy as a direct response to Sunak's proposal to reintroduce a form of National Service for 18-year-olds. In a campaign video released to his millions of followers, Omilana declared "war on the system," positioning himself as the leader of the "Niko Defence League" (NDL).

Multiple Candidacies Stunt

Omilana executed a coordinated stunt involving the registration of candidates named "Niko Omilana" in 11 different constituencies across the UK. Under electoral law, it is a criminal offense for the same individual to stand in more than one constituency. To circumvent this, Omilana claimed he had recruited supporters who legally changed their names to "Niko Omilana" to appear on ballot papers. The constituencies targeted included:

Constituency	Incumbent/Target	Region
Richmond and Northallerton	Rishi Sunak (Conservative)	North Yorkshire
Birmingham Perry Barr	Khalid Mahmood (Labour)	West Midlands
Coventry South	Zarah Sultana (Labour)	West Midlands
Leeds East	Richard Burgon (Labour)	West Yorkshire
Leeds South	Hilary Benn (Labour)	West Yorkshire
Greenwich and Woolwich	Matthew Pennycook (Labour)	London
Bermondsey and Old Southwark	Neil Coyle (Labour)	London
Ealing Southall	Virendra Sharma (Labour)	London
North West Essex	Kemi Badenoch (Conservative)	East of England
Stockton West	Matt Vickers (Conservative)	North East
Dundee Central	Chris Law (SNP)	Scotland

The stunt drew immediate scrutiny from the Electoral Commission and law enforcement. The Commission issued a statement confirming they were aware of the duplicate nominations and warned that providing false information on nomination papers is a criminal offense punishable by a fine or imprisonment. West Midlands Police and North Yorkshire Police confirmed in June 2024 that they were "looking into" the matter as a chance electoral offense. even with the investigation, the "Niko Omilana" candidates remained on the ballots for the July 4 election.

Richmond and Northallerton Results

Omilana himself stood in the Richmond and Northallerton constituency, directly challenging Rishi Sunak. On election night, the results showed a landslide victory for the Labour Party nationally, though Sunak retained his seat. Omilana received 160 votes, finishing near the bottom of the field and losing his £500 deposit. He polled fewer votes than the satirical character Count Binface, who received 308 votes in the same constituency.

Election Night "L" Stunt

During the declaration of results in Northallerton, Omilana orchestrated a viral moment that dominated social media coverage of the count. As Rishi Sunak delivered his acceptance speech, acknowledging the Conservative Party's defeat and accepting responsibility, Omilana positioned himself directly behind the Prime Minister in the camera frame. He held up a piece of paper with a large letter "L" drawn on it, a slang term for "Loss" or "Loser." When the camera operator attempted to pan away to exclude him from the shot, Omilana moved in sync with the camera to ensure the "L" remained visible behind Sunak's head. The incident was broadcast live on major news networks, including the BBC and Sky News. Following the stunt, Omilana posted an image of the moment to X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, "Hold this L rishi, your time is up."

Aftermath and Legal Status

As of late 2025, no public charges had been filed against Omilana or his associates regarding the multiple candidacy stunt, though the police investigations initiated in June 2024 remained technically open. The stunt was widely by political commentators as an example of how social media influencers were testing the boundaries of traditional electoral regulations.

Notable Pranks and Infiltrations

Between 2015 and 2025, Niko Omilana established a reputation for high- infiltrations and "fake employee" pranks that exposed security vulnerabilities and social prejudices. His methods frequently involved elaborate disguises, unauthorized access to restricted areas, and direct confrontations with public figures. These stunts generated millions of views and occasionally resulted in police intervention or legal threats.

Fake Employee Series (2018 - 2020)

Omilana gained significant traction with his "Fake Employee" series, where he donned unauthorized uniforms to impersonate staff at major retail chains. On August 17, 2018, he uploaded "FAKE EMPLOYEE PRANK In IKEA," filmed in Stockholm, Sweden. He traveled internationally for this stunt after claiming he had been banned from IKEA locations in the United Kingdom. Wearing a yellow shirt resembling the company's uniform, he directed customers to incorrect and attempted to access internal systems. He continued this format with a fake employee prank at a Subway location on December 23, 2018, and an infiltration of an Apple Store on September 21, 2019. For the Apple stunt, he created a "Not Apple" pop-up shop, where he distributed free products to highlight perceived pricing disparities. In 2020, he targeted McDonald's twice. On August 28, 2020, he posed as a drive-thru employee, and on September 5, 2020, he opened a "Not McDonald's" storefront, selling burgers from a local independent business to customers believing they were purchasing from the global chain.

High-Profile Infiltrations

Omilana's investigative pranks frequently targeted far-right organizations. In May 2018, he infiltrated an English Defence League (EDL) march in Telford, Shropshire. He adopted a satirical persona to interview marchers, exposing their absence of coherent ideology. He followed this in December 2018 by tricking EDL founder Tommy Robinson into promoting "NDL" (Niko Defence League) merchandise. In May 2022, Omilana traveled to Harrison, Arkansas, to interview Thomas Robb, the national director of the Ku Klux Klan. Posing as a BBC journalist, Omilana manipulated the interview to trick Robb into using the acronym "BLM" (Black Lives Matter) on camera. He returned to this format on September 13, 2025, infiltrating Tommy Robinson's "Unite the Kingdom" rally in London. Disguised as an elderly white man named "Ron Side," Omilana recorded attendees expressing violent racist sentiments, including one individual who admitted to carrying weapons.

Boxing Event Security Breaches

Omilana repeatedly breached security at high-profile boxing matches. In November 2019, he entered the ring during the KSI vs. Logan Paul II rematch without credentials. He repeated this feat in January 2020 at the Jake Paul vs. AnEsonGib fight in Miami. His most complex infiltration occurred on August 27, 2022, during the KSI vs. Swarmz event at the O2 Arena. Banned from the venue by promoters, Omilana disguised himself as a seven-foot bottle of Prime Hydration. He successfully entered the ring during the main event, revealing his identity only after the fight concluded.

Political Stunts and Elections

Omilana used the electoral process as a platform for satirical protest. In the 2021 London mayoral election, he ran as an independent candidate with the slogan "Vibes." He received 49, 628 votes, placing fifth and outpolling established political figures such as Laurence Fox. His campaign highlighted the disconnect between young voters and traditional politics. During the 2024 United Kingdom general election, Omilana registered as a candidate in the Richmond and Northallerton constituency, directly challenging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He also coordinated a stunt where multiple individuals legally changed their names to "Niko Omilana" to appear on ballots in different constituencies, a move that drew scrutiny from the Electoral Commission. On election night, July 5, 2024, Omilana stood behind Sunak during the concession speech, holding a piece of paper with the letter "L" (signifying "Loss") while the Prime Minister addressed the nation. Omilana received 160 votes in the constituency.

Key Infiltration and Prank Metrics (2018 - 2025)

Date	Target / Event	Location	Outcome / Metric
May 2018	English Defence League (EDL)	Telford, UK	Exposed marcher rhetoric; viral video success
Aug 17, 2018	IKEA (Fake Employee)	Stockholm, Sweden	Filmed internationally due to UK bans
May 6, 2021	London Mayoral Election	London, UK	49, 628 votes (5th place)
May 2022	Ku Klux Klan (Thomas Robb)	Harrison, Arkansas	Tricked KKK leader into saying "BLM"
Aug 27, 2022	KSI vs. Swarmz Boxing Match	London, UK (O2 Arena)	Entered ring disguised as Prime bottle
July 5, 2024	General Election (Rishi Sunak)	Northallerton, UK	Held "L" sign behind PM on live TV
Sept 13, 2025	Unite the Kingdom Rally	London, UK	Exposed violent intent of attendees

Fake Business Ventures

Between 2020 and 2025, Niko Omilana expanded his content repertoire from "fake employee" pranks to fully operational, satirical business ventures. These projects involved leasing real commercial properties, rebranding them with parody trademarks, and distributing free products to the public. The ventures were frequently framed as acts of "revenge" against major corporations or social commentary on consumer pricing, frequently resulting in significant foot traffic and police intervention.

Not McDonald's (London, 2020)

In August 2020, Omilana launched his major brick-and-mortar parody, "Not McDonald's." The stunt was conceived after a previous video in which he attempted to work as a fake employee at a McDonald's branch, only to be ejected by management. Framing the new venture as a direct competitor, Omilana partnered with a local independent restaurant, Andy's Bangin Burgers, to host the operation. Omilana purchased the restaurant's entire stock for the day and covered the staff's wages, allowing him to rebrand the storefront with "Not McDonald's" signage. The menu featured items such as the "Not Big Mac" and "Not McNuggets," which were distributed to customers for free. The event drew hundreds of fans, creating long queues that required crowd control. The venture served a dual purpose: it provided content for his channel while simultaneously promoting a small, family-owned business that had been struggling during the economic climate of 2020.

Starschmucks (2021)

Following an incident in November 2020 where a drive-thru customer physically assaulted Omilana during a fake employee prank at Starbucks, he initiated a "revenge" business titled "Starschmucks" in April 2021. Unlike the restaurant takeover, this venture involved transforming a car wash in Shoreditch, London, into a functional drive-thru coffee shop. The production team, Bayy Agency, installed custom branding, including a logo featuring Omilana's face and a mascot named "Chuck the Cup." The menu included satirical items such as the "NDL Special Hot Chocolate," served with a straw and a brownie. The operation was designed to confuse real customers who believed they were entering a legitimate Starbucks, only to be met with Omilana's chaotic service style. The stunt highlighted the effectiveness of corporate branding, as drivers entered the facility based solely on the visual similarity to the global coffee chain.

Not Apple (2021)

In November 2021, Omilana targeted the technology sector by opening a "Not Apple" store on Regent Street, London, located just 100 meters from Apple's flagship location. The stunt was framed as a protest against the rising costs of consumer electronics. Omilana adopted the persona of "Steve Jobless," wearing a black turtleneck and wire-rimmed glasses to mimic the late Apple co-founder. The storefront was professionally fitted to resemble a high-end tech showroom, displaying "Not iPhones" and "Not iPads." Instead of selling products, Omilana distributed genuine Apple devices, including iPhone 13s, to the public for free. The "business model" was deliberately nonsensical, with Omilana claiming he would force Apple to lower prices by destroying their market share through zero-cost distribution. The event caused significant disruption on Regent Street, with large crowds gathering to receive free electronics before police eventually shut down the operation.

Not McDonald's (Glasgow, 2025)

Omilana revived the "Not McDonald's" concept in late 2025, bringing the franchise to Scotland. On November 27, 2025, he opened a drive-thru location at 620 Eglinton Street in Glasgow. Similar to the 2020 London iteration, this venture was a collaboration with a local business, identified as "Zach's," which was temporarily rebranded. The Glasgow opening coincided with Omilana's appearance on the BBC reality series The Celebrity Traitors, which had raised his profile among mainstream audiences. The "Not McDonald's" drive-thru featured updated branding and continued the tradition of handing out free food to local residents. Security personnel were required to manage the traffic, as the queue of vehicles extended onto the main road. This venture demonstrated the longevity of the "fake business" format, proving its viability as a recurring content theme over a five-year period.

Summary of Fake Business Ventures (2020 - 2025)

Venture Name	Date	Location	Partner/Venue	Primary Concept
Not McDonald's	August 2020	London, England	Andy's Bangin Burgers	Free burger distribution; support for local business.
Starschmucks	April 2021	Shoreditch, London	Converted Car Wash	Fake drive-thru coffee shop; revenge prank.
Not Apple	November 2021	Regent Street, London	Retail Storefront	"Steve Jobless" persona; free iPhone distribution.
Not McDonald's	November 2025	Glasgow, Scotland	Zach's (Local Restaurant)	Drive-thru takeover; free food distribution.

Other Ventures

Beyond storefronts, Omilana has utilized the "fake business" framework for one-off events. In July 2025, he organized a fake movie premiere for a fan named Tudor. The event was staged to celebrate the fan reaching 100, 000 subscribers and involved renting a cinema and red carpet apparatus to simulate a high-profile Hollywood release. While not a commercial retail venture, it employed the same logistical strategies, hiring actors, securing venues, and creating counterfeit marketing materials, that defined his "Not" brand series.

Charity Events and Sports

Niko Omilana has leveraged his significant online following to participate in and organize major charity sporting events, primarily focusing on football and boxing. His involvement ranges from high-profile charity matches to viral stunts that have permeated professional combat sports. Between 2022 and 2025, Omilana became a staple in the influencer charity circuit, contributing to events that have shared raised millions of pounds for various causes.

Sidemen Charity Matches

Omilana has been a recurring player for the YouTube All-Stars team in the annual Sidemen Charity Matches, which pit the British YouTube group Sidemen against a roster of international content creators. His performances are frequently characterized by a mix of competitive play and comedic on-pitch antics.

Niko Omilana: Sidemen Charity Match Statistics (2022 - 2025)

Year	Venue	Team	Result	Key Contributions	Funds Raised
2022	The Valley	YouTube All-Stars	Lost 7, 8	Scored opening goal	£1, 000, 000+
2023	London Stadium	YouTube All-Stars	Lost 5, 8	Scored 1 goal	£2, 400, 000+
2025	Wembley Stadium	YouTube All-Stars	Won 5, 4 (Pens)	Scored penalty in shootout	£4, 700, 000+

In the 2022 match held at Charlton Athletic's stadium, The Valley, Omilana scored one of the opening goals for the YouTube All-Stars, contributing to a high-scoring thriller that ended 8, 7 in favor of Sidemen FC. He returned for the 2023 edition at the London Stadium, where he scored again in front of a sold-out crowd of 60, 000. This match raised over £2. 4 million for charities including the Teenage Cancer Trust, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), and Rays of Sunshine. The event scaled significantly in March 2025, moving to Wembley Stadium with an attendance of 90, 000. The match ended in a 9, 9 draw after regulation time, with the YouTube All-Stars securing a victory via a penalty shootout. Omilana successfully converted his penalty kick, helping his team break their losing streak. This event set a new record for influencer charity sports, raising approximately £4. 7 million for BBC Children in Need and other charities.

Beta Squad vs. AMP

In June 2024, Omilana played a central role in organizing and competing in the Beta Squad vs. AMP charity match, held at Selhurst Park, the home of Crystal Palace F. C. The event pitted his UK-based group, Beta Squad, against the American shared AMP (Any Means Possible). The match was played in aid of The Water Project, a non-profit organization providing access to clean water in sub-Saharan Africa. The game ended in a 6, 6 draw and featured a "mystery player" on the AMP side, who wore a mask throughout the match. This player was later identified by fans and media as professional footballer Djed Spence. Omilana's participation was not limited to the pitch; he was instrumental in the marketing and promotion of the event, which sold out the 25, 000-seat stadium and drew millions of concurrent viewers online.

Soccer Aid

Omilana's footballing profile extended to mainstream television when he was selected to play for the World XI team in Soccer Aid 2023. Held at Old Trafford, this UNICEF-sanctioned event is one of the biggest celebrity charity matches in the world. Omilana played alongside football legends such as Roberto Carlos and Francesco Totti, as well as fellow content creator Noah Beck. His selection marked a significant crossover from YouTube fame to traditional broadcast media, with the match airing live on ITV.

Boxing Stunts and Commentary

While Omilana has not competed in a professional boxing match, he has become synonymous with the sport through a series of high-risk infiltration stunts. He successfully sneaked into the ring during the KSI vs. Logan Paul fight in 2018 and repeated the feat for the rematch in 2019. In August 2022, he gained viral attention for entering the ring during KSI's bout against Swarmz at the O2 Arena disguised as a giant bottle of Prime Hydration, a stunt that required him to bypass multiple of security. Beyond pranks, Omilana has served as a ringside supporter and occasional commentator for his Beta Squad colleague, King Kenny, during various influencer boxing tournaments. In January 2021, he organized a comedic "boxing tournament" for a Beta Squad video titled "Last to Get Knocked Out Wins iPhone 12," where he acted as the referee. even with frequent fan speculation and challenges from other influencers, Omilana has maintained that he has no immediate plans to pursue a professional fighting career.

Television Appearances

In October 2025, Omilana expanded his charity work into reality television by joining the cast of the BBC's The Celebrity Traitors. He competed as a "Faithful" in the celebrity edition of the psychological game show, which required participants to complete physical and mental missions to build a prize pot for their chosen charities. Omilana was "banished" by his fellow contestants during the series, his participation helped bring a younger demographic to the flagship BBC program.

Digital Milestones and Industry Recognition

Niko Omilana's transition from a niche prankster to a mainstream digital entertainer has been marked by significant statistical milestones and formal industry acknowledgments. His ability to mobilize large audiences, demonstrated most visibly during his mayoral campaign, is mirrored in the rapid growth of his digital footprint. Between 2015 and 2025, Omilana accrued multiple accolades that validate his status as a leading figure in the British creator economy. The primary metric of Omilana's success remains his YouTube subscriber growth, which is recognized through the platform's Creator Awards program. He surpassed the 100, 000 subscriber mark early in his career, earning the Silver Play Button. His growth accelerated exponentially in the late 2010s, and on August 28, 2019, he officially crossed the threshold of one million subscribers, securing the Gold Play Button. As of late 2025, his channel had amassed over 8. 7 million subscribers, placing him on the trajectory for a Diamond Play Button, an honor reserved for creators who reach 10 million subscribers.

Formal Awards and Nominations

Omilana's individual creativity has been recognized by established award bodies that monitor digital culture. In 2020, he received a nomination at the 12th Annual Shorty Awards in the "Breakout YouTuber" category. The Shorty Awards, which honor the best of social media, highlighted his unique brand of parody and his founding of the "Niko Defence League" (NDL) as key factors for his inclusion. Although the award went to automotive creator Supercar Blondie, the nomination cemented Omilana's position as a global breakout talent. His influence within the British urban music and entertainment scene was formally solidified in 2021. At the Rated Awards, an annual ceremony hosted by GRM Daily to celebrate British music and culture, Omilana won the award for "Personality of the Year." This victory was particularly significant as it was a fan-voted category, directly reflecting the mobilization power of his NDL fanbase. In his acceptance speech, Omilana attributed the win to his audience's persistent support, validating his strategy of high-engagement community building.

Shared Honors with Beta Squad

Beyond his solo endeavors, Omilana shares in the serious acclaim received by the Beta Squad, the collaborative group he formed with Chunkz, AJ Shabeel, Sharky, and KingKennyTV. In 2020, the same year as his individual nomination, the Beta Squad was nominated for "YouTube Ensemble" at the 12th Annual Shorty Awards. This nomination recognized the group's chemistry and their role in revitalizing the "content house" format in the United Kingdom. While fellow member Chunkz has received individual nods at the MOBO Awards, the group's shared output is frequently as a driver for the individual success of its members. The Beta Squad's ability to consistently trend on YouTube has made them a fixture in discussions regarding the UK's top digital entertainers, although they have largely operated outside the traditional television award circuit.

Summary of Accolades

The following table outlines the verified awards and nominations received by Niko Omilana and the Beta Squad between 2015 and 2025.

Year	Award Body	Category	Recipient	Result
2019	YouTube Creator Awards	Gold Play Button (1, 000, 000 Subscribers)	Niko Omilana	Won
2020	Shorty Awards	Breakout YouTuber	Niko Omilana	Nominated
2020	Shorty Awards	YouTube Ensemble	Beta Squad	Nominated
2021	Rated Awards (GRM Daily)	Personality of the Year	Niko Omilana	Won

Personal Life

Omilana resides in London, England, having previously lived in Staffordshire following his parents' divorce. While he maintains a degree of privacy regarding his domestic life, his living arrangements have frequently intersected with his professional collaborations, most notably through his residency in the "Beta Squad" mansion. Between 2019 and 2022, Omilana lived with fellow shared members, Chunkz, AJ Shabeel, Sharky, and KingKennyTV, in a luxury property in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, which served as both a home and a production hub for their content. Born to an English mother and a Nigerian father of the Yoruba ethnic group, Omilana has frequently referenced his heritage in his work. His father holds a title within the Nigerian chieftaincy system, a detail Omilana has confirmed while discussing his background. He has three siblings: a younger brother, Wisdom Omilana, who has occasionally appeared in his content, and two sisters whose identities remain largely out of the public eye.

Relationships

In June 2023, Omilana publicly confirmed his relationship with social media personality and model Sophie G (known online as @soppyg). The couple has since appeared together in limited social media posts, though Omilana generally keeps the details of their relationship private. Prior to this confirmation, he frequently deflected questions regarding his dating life with comedic misdirection.

Legal problem and Controversies

Omilana's penchant for high- pranks has occasionally resulted in legal friction. In April 2023, he was arrested and physically removed by police while attempting to enter the disputed micronation of Liberland on the Croatian-Serbian border. Footage of the incident showed a confrontation with Croatian authorities, which Omilana later broadcast as part of a documentary on the micronation. Following the July 2024 United Kingdom general election, Omilana faced police scrutiny regarding his coordination of multiple independent candidates. Authorities investigated chance offenses under electoral law after it emerged that several individuals had legally changed their names to "Niko Omilana" to stand in 11 different constituencies simultaneously. The stunt, intended to highlight gaps in the political system, prompted a review by the Electoral Commission and local police forces into whether false information was provided on nomination papers.

Philanthropy

Omilana has leveraged his platform for various charitable causes, frequently combining fundraising with entertainment. He is a regular participant in the Sidemen Charity Match, a high-profile football event that raises millions for organizations such as the Teenage Cancer Trust and CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). He scored goals in both the 2022 and 2023 matches, playing for the YouTube Allstars team. In June 2024, Omilana co-hosted a charity football match at Selhurst Park, featuring the Beta Squad against the American group AMP (Any Means Possible). The event raised funds for The Water Project, an organization providing access to clean water in sub-Saharan Africa. The match ended in a draw after a pitch invasion by fans forced an early termination. In late 2025, Omilana appeared as a contestant on the celebrity edition of the BBC reality series The Traitors, where he competed to raise money for the charity Under One Sky, which supports homeless people in the UK.

Personal Ventures

Outside of content creation, Omilana has expanded into business ventures. In May 2025, he launched his own confectionery brand, "Shades by Niko," releasing a line of gummy sweets in the UK market. The brand's marketing leaned heavily on his "NDL" (Niko Defence League) branding and personal aesthetic.

**Selected Personal Appearances & Charity Events (2015, 2025)**

Year	Event	Role	Beneficiary/Notes
2022	Sidemen Charity Match	Player (YouTube Allstars)	Teenage Cancer Trust, CALM, Ray of Sunshine
2023	Liberland Documentary	Subject	Resulted in arrest by Croatian police
2023	Sidemen Charity Match	Player (YouTube Allstars)	Teenage Cancer Trust, CALM, M7 Education
2024	Beta Squad vs AMP Match	Host / Player	The Water Project
2025	The Celebrity Traitors	Contestant (Faithful)	Under One Sky

*This Niko Omilana investigative bio was originally published on our controlling outlet and is part of the News Network owned by  Ekalavya Hansaj. It is shared here as part of our content syndication agreement.” The full list of all our brands can be checked here. Read more investigative bios of noteworthy people.

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