There are thousands of comedians who perform in various settings across the country. However, only a few are able to stand out from the pack and become household names. I have selected my top five. Watch till the end to know who is my Greatest of all Time in the Nigeria Comedy Industry.
In many ways, comedy is the most difficult art form of all. How can you be funny? It’s hard to define, but it’s easy to recognize.
There is no doubt that comedy is a very popular entertainment genre in Nigeria.
Here are my top five greatest of all time comedians in Nigeria.
Ali Baba
Ali Baba was born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria on 24th June 1965 to the royal family of Agbarha Otor. Alibaba’s real name is Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome.
After completing his academic degree in 1990, he relocated back to Lagos to develop his comedic talent he discovered at the university. Originally, he planned to study Law but decided he could be more successful by making people laugh than by defending them.
He began his professional career performing at corporate events, appearing on television shows and making cameo appearances on radio shows.
In 2014, Ali Baba started an annual comedy event called the 1st of January concert. In 2015 he started an event called Spontaneity; a quarterly event for budding comedians.
Ali Baba is the pioneer corporate comedian in Nigeria. He has been described as the king and founding father of standup comedy in Nigeria. He is also considered one of the richest comedians in Nigeria.
Ali Baba maintains the philosophy that his business is big enough for all who want to make comedy their chosen profession. As such, he supports, mentors, and presents several comedians helping to ensure that standards are maintained and professionalism encouraged.
Aside from comedy, Ali Baba is also an actor and has graced the screen in significant projects like The Wedding Party among others.
Ali Baba was inducted into the Johnnie Walker ‘Striding Man’ Society in 2009 which recognizes men who have achieved great strides in their chosen fields and who motivate and encourage others
In March 2015, Ali Baba was featured on CNN African voices, speaking about his goal to professionalize and gain acceptance for Nigerian comedians.
In April 2018, Ali Baba received the Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International for his contribution to the Nigerian Comedy industry
Ali Baba and his beautiful wife are blessed with five Children.
OKEY BAKASSI
Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, popularly known as Okey Bakassi is a Nigerian stand-up comedian and actor.
He started his acting and comedy career at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology . Looking at his experience both as an actor and stand-up comedian at the university coupled with experience garnered, during his service year as a member of the Lagos State drama troupe, he thought about it as a wise move to carry on in that direction as a career.
Okey Bakassi has featured in tons of comedy shows both home and abroad, he has also acted in several Nollywood movies before focusing his career fully on stand-up comedy.
He has won couples of awards and earned some fair nominations to his name too. He won the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role category at the 2014 edition of the Best of Nollywood Awards in year 2014 for his role in the film “Onye Ozi”.
In 1995, Okey Bakassi collaborated with Opa Williams and Nollywood actress Reginald Ebere sat down together to figure out a way forward in the entertainment industry. That discussion gave birth to “Night of a Thousand Laughs” a stand-up comedy show hosted in different part of Nigeria.
“Night of a Thousand Laughs” is a platform that shot many Nigerians stand-up comedians to fame including; I Go Dye , Gordons, Bovi, A.Y, to name a few.
Okey Bakassi is happily married to his beautiful wife, Ezinne, and together they have three Children.
A.Y
Ayodeji Richard Makun, also known by his stage name A.Y, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, radio and TV presenter, writer, producer and film director. Born on 19 August 1971, he hails from Ifon, Ose local government in Ondo State.
Ayo Makun attended Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. He graduated in 2003 as a theatre arts student.
Ayo Makun directs and acts in one of Nigeria’s popular sitcom, A.Y’s crib. He also hosts one of Africa’s largest comedy shows, A.Y Live featuring up and coming comedians..
A.Y has become the ‘father’ of many upcoming acts and established acts that are doing well in the industry, through the monthly A.Y’s Open Mic Challenge that held every third Sunday, at The National Theatre and later at The marquee of Federal Palace Hotels and Casinos, Lagos.
The A.Y Show, arguably the best Comedy Show on Nigeria TV, shows on many terrestrial television stations across the country including Africa Magic.
Ayo Makun is also the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate World entertainment, Nigeria. He was made a U.N Peace Ambassador. In 2009, he was made United Nations Peace Ambassador.
He and his wife Mabel are blessed with two children.
Julius Agwu
Julius Agwu was born April 7, 1973. He is a Nigerian stand-up comedian, actor, singer and MC. Born in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Julius Agwu started his education at Elementary State School and later UBE Primary School both in Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He studied theater Arts at Diploma level from the University of Port Harcourt with specialization in acting and followed suit with a degree programme in directing in the same institution. Julius was adjudged the best student in the graduating class of the year in 1997.
He started his acting career on stage in the city of Port-Harcourt where he grew up. He acted in several television series and movies such as Torn, A Long Night and After Count .
His combined success in the movie industry, music and comedy in Nigeria is unrivaled by any other artiste till date. He founded a genre of music in Nigeria known as music comedy being the first comedian to release a comedy album in the country and this earned him different awards and nominations.
Having conquered the home terrain, Julius D’ Genius Agwu has also taken comedy shows to different parts of the world like Atlanta, Maryland, London, among others. Foremost amongst his annual comedy shows are; Crack Ya Ribs and Laff for Christ Sake.
It is now universally accepted that Julius ‘D GENIUS’ Agwu is one of the greatest comedians in the comedy world. He has passed through the litmus test on different occasions and the outcome has shown that he doesn’t have to prepare to reel out rib cracking jokes. The innate talent of making people laugh is inborn and it has taken him to every part of the world.
Julius Agwu is married to his beautiful wife MacClayton Agwu and the marriage is blessed with two children.
BASKETMOUTH
Bright Okpocha, born 14th September, 1978 in Lagos State but hails from Abia State. He is better known by his stage name Basketmouth, is a Nigerian comedian and actor. .
He completed his primary and secondary school in Apapa, Lagos and moved on to the University of Benin, Edo State to study for a degree in Sociology and Anthropology. He discovered his skill in drumming in 1991 followed by taking up rapping in 1994.
In the year 2000, Basketmouth made an appearance in the Lagbaja music video Gra Gra. In 2005, Basketmouth was discovered by Opa Williams through his comedy show titled “Night of a Thousand Laugh”. He also won the National Comedy Award and the honors for best stand-up comedian of the year in 2005 and 2006.
Basket Mouth, who is a brand ambassador for a number of well-known companies, is also committed to giving back. He founded his nonprofit, “The Bright Okpocha Foundation,” in 2014 with the goal of spreading holiday joy to individuals who are spending the holidays in hospitals.
For his love for music, In 2014, he founded the record label Barons World Entertainment. In November 2020, he released the highlife album ‘Yabasi’ as a soundtrack for the film ‘Papa Benji.’
He was nominated in the 2021 maiden edition of The Humour Awards Academy alongside fellow comedian Mr Funny, and appears in the Africa Magic show “My Flatmates”
He has organized popular stand-up comedy concerts like Basketmouth Uncensored across the globe
Basketmouth is married to his beautiful Wife Uzoma and together they are blessed with three children.
Which of my Top five Nigerian Comedian is your GOAT? In out next video we look at the future GWOAT of the Nigeria Comedy Industry. Subscribe so you don’t miss it.