In the world of comedy, Nigerian comedy is one of the best with world class comedians who have cracked ribs, made pains and problems a thing of the past with their comedy. Meet three iconic Nigerian comedians who have given the world a good laugh.
Basket mouth
Bright Okpocha was born 14th September, 1978 in Lagos State. He is better known by his stage name Basketmouth and is a Nigerian comedian and actor. He has organized popular stand-up comedy concerts like Basketmouth Uncensored across the globe.
Basketmouth hosted a comedy challenge on Instagram, called the #TwoThingsChallenge which sparked an uproar from fans, after a young fan posted a video of him saying obscene things relating to sex, with a child in close view in the video. Bright completed his primary and secondary school education in Apapa (Lagos, Nigeria) and then moved on to pursue a degree at the University of Benin where he studied sociology and anthropology with his brother Godwin.
In 2005 and 2006 Basketmouth won the National Comedy Award and the awards for Best Stand-up Comedian of the Year. Basketmouth appears in the Africa Magic show ‘My Flatmates’ (2016).
Basketmouth recently hosted Nigerian Billionaire Femi Otedola in his home.
AY
Ayodeji Richard Makun, also known by his stage name A.Y, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, radio and TV presenter, writer, producer and director.
Born on 19 August 1971, he hails from Ifon, Ose local government in Ondo State. He is the host of the A.Y live shows and A.Y comedy skits. His first movie, 30 Days in Atlanta was produced by him and directed by Robert O. Peters.
He was made a U.N Peace Ambassador in 2009 after winning six awards in 2008. He is the CEO of Corporate World Entertainment Nigeria.
Ayo Makun came into spotlight after being Alibaba Akporobome’s personal assistant and event manager. A.Y also wrote going “A.Y wire” as a guest columnist in The Sun (Nigeria) and Gbenga Adeyinka’s “Laugh Mattaz”.
Ayo Makun directs and acts in one of Nigeria’s popular sitcom, AY’s crib with Alex Ekubo, Venita Akpofure, Buchi Franklin and Justice Nuagbe. He also hosts one of Africa’s largest comedy shows, AY Live featuring comedians like Bovi, Helen Paul and many other comedians.
Ayo Makun is also the Chief Executive Officer of Corporate World entertainment, Nigeria. He also owns a club house. As an investor in stand-up comedy, he has influenced upcoming comedians through his AY “Open Mic Challenge”.
Bovi
Bovi is a Nigerian comedian, actor, and writer from Delta State, Nigeria. He has organized popular stand-up comedy concerts like Bovi Man on Fire across the globe. Bovi began his career in April 2007, starring in the sitcom Extended Family, which he also wrote and produced. The show was very popular, and by 2008 Bovi was an emerging force in comedy shows and events throughout Nigeria.
He got his big break as a stand-up comedian in Nite of 1000 Laughs organized by Opa Williams.in 2013, his first stand-up special held at the prestigious Eko convention center. He went ahead to stage the sequel in 2014. Bovi- Man on Fire 2014 also featured international superstars Ja Rule and Ashanti. Bovi took the one-man special to several cities in the United States, London, Melbourne, and Toronto.
In 2017, after a three year hiatus, the Man on Fire franchise returned to Lagos and it was the most successful yet. The fourth edition in Lagos held in April 2019 and Bovi insists it is the last of the man on Fire franchise. He says his next special will go by another title. Bovi began a series titled “BACK TO SCHOOL” in 2018 which he uploads in hisYouTube channel. Bovi has worked alongside other Nigerian comedians such as I Go Dye, I Go Save, Basketmouth, Buchi, Odogwu, Okey Bakassi, Julius Agwu and many others.