By Esther Onyegbula

In an era where social media has become both a stage and a classroom, Joseph Onaolapo, better known as Jay On-Air, stands out as a voice of creativity, consistency, and connection. For over a decade, he has seamlessly woven journalism, acting, and content creation into a career defined by authenticity and impact.

From his early days behind the mic to becoming a familiar face on Facebook timelines, Jay has built more than just a following, he’s built a community. His relatable videos, vibrant fashion sense, and open-hearted storytelling have not only entertained but inspired thousands across borders, proving that passion paired with persistence truly pays off.

In this exclusive interview, Jay shares the story behind his 12-year media journey, the power of community on Facebook, and why every aspiring creator should stop waiting for perfection and just start posting today.

Tell us about yourself. Who is Jay On-Air?

I’m a journalist, an actor, a content creator, and an event host. Honestly, I’m everything in the entertainment space. I love what I do, I love connecting with people every day and touching lives in both funny and serious ways. That’s who I am.

How did your journey in media and storytelling begin, and when did Facebook become part of that story?

I’ll be 12 years in the media next year, but I started creating content about six years ago. From the very beginning, Facebook was part of that journey. I started by posting videos, and people would like, share, and comment.

Over time, Facebook introduced monetization, and that made it even more exciting and profitable. What I love most is the ability to connect, you can see your top fans, your most active followers, those who share or comment the most. It helps you know the people behind the engagement, and that connection means a lot to me.

How would you describe the energy, Lagos Fashion Week and this Facebook event

It’s fantastic! This is the official start of Lagos Fashion Week, and it’s amazing to see Facebook partnering with Lagos Fashion Week to bridge social media and fashion. The energy is electric, people look beautiful, the atmosphere is fun, and even with everything happening in the country, this gives people a reason to smile, dress up, and forget their worries for a while.

Over time, how has Facebook helped you connect with your audience?

The features make all the difference. Knowing your top fans and newest followers, seeing who interacts the most, that helps build real community. Sometimes, I make appreciation posts to say, “I see you, thank you,” and that simple act deepens the connection.

You’ve built such an engaged community. Which tools or features help you connect most?

I love Stories. They feel more personal. The feed can reach millions, but it’s your true community that checks your stories, those who want to see behind the scenes, gym moments, or what you’re working on.

Sometimes people even look out for me. I once posted from a store in South Africa and followers warned me that the place sold fake products! That made me smile, it felt like family. That’s what Stories do: they build genuine relationships.

What advice would you give to aspiring creators?

Start posting today. The next best time is today. Don’t overthink it, you don’t need the perfect phone or lighting setup right away. Just start, be consistent, and focus on creating content that adds value. Teach, entertain, and inspire. Everything else will follow.

Can you share a moment when Facebook helped you reach a breakthrough?

Yes! One of my videos went viral in India. It featured a teacher character, and people connected with it because it reflected their experiences too. It reminded me that the world truly is a global village. That video brought me fans and even jobs from India. That’s the power of Facebook.

What’s one Facebook feature you think more creators should know about?

Definitely monetization. Many African creators don’t know Facebook now pays directly. You can go to your settings, follow the process, and get paid, no need to link to a foreign account. And of course, don’t sleep on Stories, they’re one of the best ways to build community.

When you’re not in front of a camera or mic, how do you unwind?

I enjoy consuming other people’s content on Facebook. As creators, we give a lot, but it’s also nice to enjoy. I watch, like, and share other creators’ work. I also love to sleep, sleep is important! I spend time with family, my parents, siblings, niece, and nephew, and hang out with friends. That’s my happy space.

How would you describe your fashion sense?

Very relaxed! (laughs) When you see me dressed up like this, someone has definitely put effort into it. My outfit today was styled by Isaac John and designed by Asher.ng, they created this look inspired by Facebook’s colors.

Normally, you’ll find me in big trousers, slippers, and shades. But I’ve learned that in this industry, fashion matters. So, we’re improving!

You wear many hats, radio host, content creator, MC. How do you stay balanced?

I keep learning. I learn from my work on radio and TV, from other creators, from both veterans and newcomers. I don’t ever want to be a “jack of all trades, master of none.” I want to grow in each area.

Things have changed a lot since I started 12 years ago, especially because I began my career outside Lagos, so it’s important to keep evolving and improving.

What’s your general impression of Lagos Fashion Week?

It’s beautiful. Amid the economic chaos, the high dollar rates and everything else, people come out to celebrate creativity. Fashion Week is full of color, beauty, and expression. You’ll see people in designer outfits and others mixing Yaba finds with great style, that’s the magic of fashion. It’s not about how expensive your clothes are, but how well you wear them.

If you could improve one thing about the fashion industry, what would it be?

Kindness. People should be kinder in their remarks. Everyone’s doing “fashion police” these days, criticizing without context. You never know someone’s story. I have a friend who always wore sneakers because of a leg injury, people judged her without knowing. Fashion should be about comfort and self-expression. Let’s be kind.