Nigerian content creator and streamer Carter Efe has reached a major milestone in his career after being selected for Kai Cenat's Streamer University Class of 2026. The announcement marked a significant moment for African streaming, highlighting the growing global influence of Nigerian creators in the live-streaming industry, as Carter Efe became the first international creator selected for this year's edition of the programme.
The news broke when the official list of successful applicants was revealed during one of Kai Cenat's live Twitch streams. Carter Efe, who was watching the broadcast alongside members of his crew, erupted in celebration once his name was called, with the entire room breaking into cheers. The moment quickly went viral across Nigerian social media, with fans and fellow creators flooding timelines with congratulatory messages.
For Carter Efe, born Oderhohwo Joseph Efe (though some reports have referenced him as Israel Paul Enesi), this acceptance represents the latest chapter in a career that began far from livestreaming. He first gained popularity through comedy skits before expanding into livestreaming and music, and is also known for his 2022 hit song "Machala," a tribute to Afrobeats star Wizkid. Over the years, he has built one of Nigeria's largest online followings, transitioning from short-form comedic content into full-scale livestreaming sessions.
Carter Efe built his massive following through high-energy comedy skits and chaotic yet entertaining livestreams that draw genuine audience connections, transitioning seamlessly from short-form videos to full live-streaming sessions that regularly attract thousands of concurrent viewers across platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Over time, he has hosted top Nigerian celebrities, musicians, and entertainers on his streams, including a widely watched appearance alongside Afrobeats star Davido.
So what exactly is Streamer University? Launched by Kai Cenat in 2025, the programme is designed to help upcoming creators improve their content and grow their careers, bringing together selected creators for several days of training, collaborations and livestreaming sessions with some of the biggest names in the industry. Participants learn how to create better content, engage with audiences, build their personal brands, collaborate with other creators, and turn content creation into a successful business.
Despite its name, the programme isn't a conventional academic institution. Although it is called a university, it is not a traditional school; instead, it functions as an immersive bootcamp where creators learn from experienced streamers while producing content together, giving them exposure to millions of viewers worldwide.
Competition for a spot was fierce. Kai Cenat unveiled a list of 120 creators who made this year's class after receiving a large volume of applications from aspiring streamers across the globe. The selected cohort reads like a who's-who of internet culture, with names such as Skai Jackson, Queen Naija, Sara Saffari, StableRonaldo, PlaqueBoyMax, Sketch, and JasonTheWeen all making the cut alongside Carter Efe.
Nigeria's presence in the class was notably strong. For Africa, two creators made the final list — Carter Efe and Damii, both from Nigeria — each having built loyal online communities through very different styles of content. While Carter Efe first gained widespread attention with his comedy skits before branching into music, he has since found major success in livestreaming by inviting artists, creators, and others onto his broadcasts, making his streams engaging and unpredictable, and cementing his status as one of Nigeria's biggest internet personalities at the moment.
Other reports also noted that fellow Nigerian creator Shank Comics had previously stood out at earlier editions of Kai Cenat's programme, further underlining the country's growing footprint at the event. Carter Efe's selection has been celebrated by fans and described as another proud moment for Nigeria's content creation industry, with many describing the news as a reflection of the country's growing influence in the global creator economy.
For a creator whose career began with skits filmed on a phone camera, the invitation to sit among some of the internet's most recognizable names is a striking validation of how far Nigerian digital content has traveled on the world stage. As preparations began for the in-person edition of the programme, attention quickly turned to the logistics of getting Carter Efe from Nigeria into the United States to take his seat among the Class of 2026 — a process that would prove far more complicated than anyone expected.