How FUPRE Student Develops Plutoid, a Social Media App to Redefine Engagement

By Peter Onyekachukwu, Warri

DELTA: A 20-year-old undergraduate of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State, Akporhiegbe OgheneRukevwe King, has launched Plutoid, a new social media platform that he says prioritizes meaningful engagement over popularity. 

The Physics student believes Plutoid will challenge traditional platforms by shifting focus from follower counts to content quality.

According to Akporhiegbe, who taught himself software development, Plutoid is designed to offer users a fairer playing field in social media interactions. “Unlike Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter), Plutoid allows everyone to be seen based on the strength of their content, not how many followers they have,” he said. The app, which is currently available for free on Google Play Store, is gaining attention among young digital creators.

He explained that Plutoid distinguishes itself by tracking engagement metrics such as views and likes rather than follower numbers. “On other platforms, visibility is often tied to popularity. Here, engagement is what counts. If your content resonates with people, it gets noticed,” he added.

Plutoid also comes with features aimed at improving user experience and privacy. “One key aspect is that users can see total view counts on their posts, providing better insight into how their content is performing,” Akporhiegbe noted. “We’re also introducing a monetization feature that will allow creators to earn directly from their posts.”

Beyond content visibility, privacy is a core feature of the app. Akporhiegbe revealed that Plutoid prevents chat screenshots and screen-sharing, making conversations more secure. “We’re creating a space where users feel safe while enjoying social interactions. It’s not just about posting, it’s about building real connections in a meaningful way,” he said.

He emphasized that Plutoid is just at the beginning of its journey. “This is more than just another app. It’s about redefining how social media works, ensuring that creativity, originality, and engagement drive content visibility—not just social status. And we’re only getting started,” he concluded.