Hi there! Today is going to discuss about the top 10 richest comedians we have in Nigeria. It will interest you to know that the Nigerian comedy Industry started as stand-up comedy in village squares, churches and town halls. Early comedians used studios to record jokes on CD-ROM but today, Nigerian comedy has turned into a billion naira company. Nigerian comedians now use online streaming software to promote their talent. These online streaming apps offer comedians and content creators commercial rights to earn from their products (a significant source of income for new comedians). They have also increased their net worth from endorsement deals and promotions to become one of the richest people in the entertainment industry. This article will be answering questions like Who is the richest comedian in Nigeria in 2021? Who is the richest comedy kid in Nigeria? Who is the most awarded comedian in Nigeria? Who is the richest celebrity in Nigeria? Who is the most famous coedian in Nigeria? Which comedian has the highest net worth in Nigeria? and also provide the list of the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria 2021 and their net worth.
The first on our list is Ayo Makun also known as AY. Ayo is a famous Movie producer, actor and comedian. AY has significant contribution to the Nigerian comedy and entertainment industry. Though AY gained prominence as a comedian and PA to Alibaba, he has featured and produced high grossing Nigerian movies like Merry men, 30 days in Atlanta, 10 days in Sun City, and a trip to Jamaica. AY has used his platform to bring up many stand up comedians in Nigeria; AY has also won numerous comedian of the year award. Apart from being the host and producer of AY Live, the largest comedy show in Africa, AY smiles to the bank through his numerous movie projects like 30 Days in Atlanta - the highest-grossing movie of all time in 2015 which happens to be his source of income. Asides from being the richest comedian in Nigeria, AY can easily pass as the most famous comedian in Nigeria because of his numerous comedy show - the largest in Africa. AY is the Chief Executive officer of Corporate world Entertainment, producing many Nigerian movies and comedy shows. All these have increased AY's networth to 3.2 billion Naira.
The next on our list is Ali Baba. It will interest you to know that there won't be a comedy industry in Nigeria without Ali Baba. Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome was born into a royal family in Warri, Delta state. Ali Baba made the list of the top richest comedians in Nigeria in 2021 because of his large estate and contribution to the Nigerian comedy industry. Ali Baba is also the most awarded Comedian in Nigeria, with over 15 accolades to his name. The legendary Comedian has also received the Paul Harris Fellowship (2018) by Rotary International. He is the founder and owner of Alibaba Hicuppuray 3rd, a registered company devoted to his activities as a comedian.Ali baba has been honoured by many institutions like the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He is estimated to be worth at least 3 billion Naira.
The next on our list is Bright Okpocha, also known as Basketmouth is from Abia state. The UNIBEN graduate is a known brand and he began his career in entertainment by venturing into rap music before his journey into comedy. Basketmouth studied sociology and anthropology at the University of Benin. Basketmouth is known for hosting popular stand-up comedy concerts like Basketmouth uncensored, which has been a success across the globe. He is also a regular appearance in the Africa Magic Show 'My Flatmates'. Basketmouth also started his comedy mini-series titled 'Papa Banji', which premiers on YouTube. The Nigerian comedian also owns Barons World Entertainment record label, a record label that launched his debut music album. Basketmouth has an estimated net worth of 2.1 billion naira as of 2021.
The next on our list is Francis Agoda, also known as "I go Dye". He is a famous Nigerian comedian from Delta who has hosted many comedy shows under his label 'Igodye standing' comedy shows. The name 'I Go DYE' stands for Initiative guide on developing youth endowment. I Go Dye met the first executive Governor of Delta State, Olorogun Felix Ibru as a young child after his exhibition of hovercraft ship, radio transmitter, hairdryer, projector, electric, solar table fan and flying helicopter. The feat made him the first African child to have built a flying helicopter and moving hovercraft ship. I Go Dye secured a scholarship to study structural engineering at New York University. He used his comedy and publications to describe the problems faced by people in the rural areas while growing up. I Go Dye has continued to champion a new leadership in Nigeria through open letters to President Buhari and Atiku Abubakar. At the early stage of his career, I Go Dye secured a contract from Prest Motel in Benin City to perform as a stand-up comedian. I Go Dye starred in Africa biggest comedy show, Night of A thousand laughs, during its 2000 edition. In 2015 he got a contract from NIDOE France to perform at the UNESCO Cultural Week in Paris; he has also performed alongside Akon, Boyz II Men, 50-Cent, Rick Ross, The Game, and Kelly Rowland which raised his net to N2 billion as of 2021.
Bovi Ugboma popularly known as Bovi is a comedian, TV presenter, actor and host. His career has been a story of success and fame. Bovi Ugboma is a native of Delta state Nigeria and had his breakthrough in the Nigerian entertainment industry through his popular sitcom, 'Extended family'. Bovi wrote and produced the sitcom in 2007, which received a positive review in 2008. He has been a famous face during the headies award; he has been a regular host - four (4) times in a row. Bovi Ugboma share three children with his wife, Kris Asimonye Ugboma. Bovi's debut sitcom, Extended Family, was a success that brought him to the limelight. As a comedian, Bovi has successfully hosted Bovi Man on Fire. From 2014 to 2019, Bovi Man on Fire has been a success across Lagos and different cities in the United States, London, Melbourne, and Toronto. Bovi's first movie, It's Her Day', premiered on 9 September 2016; the film raised over 55 million in cinemas. In 2018, the great comedian started his miniseries 'Back to School', which airs on youtube. The miniseries Banana Republic is another film work owned by Bovi Ugboma - all on YouTube. Bovi's talent, creativity and effort have earned huge wealth to become one of the richest comedians in Nigeria in 2021. His franchise and YuTube rights are a stable income source that increased his net worth to N1.5 Billion.
Julius Agwu is one of the pioneers of Nigerian comedy. He is one of the early Nigerian comedians that earned so much wealth to increase their net worth. Julius Agwu was born and raised in Port-Harcourt city. He started his career as a stage actor before his breakthrough in the comedy industry. He studied Theater Arts at the University of Port Harcourt. Being listed among the top ten richest comedians in Nigeria, many will be wondering about Julius Agwu's source of income. The comedian is the CEO of Reellaif Limited, a music and movie production company. The position has earned him a huge net worth of N800 million, a big amount, to become the sixth richest comedian in Nigeria in 2021. Julius Agwu was also the producer behind successful comedy shows like Crack Ya Ribs, Laff 4 Christ's Sake and Festival of Love.
The next on our list is Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, popularly known as Okey Bakassi who was born on October 23, 1969. Okey Bakassi Is a stand-up comedian and an actor ranking among the richest comedians in Nigeria for 2021. The Nollywood actor and comedian studied at River State University of Science & Technology. He participated in many comedy shows during his school days, entertaining the whole university. The school comedy shows helped him pursue his career in acting. Okey Bakassi won many awards in the entertainment industry, including the "Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo)" category at the 2014 edition of the Best of Nollywood Awards. Okey Bakassi has earned so much money that pushed his net worth to a big amount through TV presentation, acting, MC and comedian. The famous Nollywood superstar has hosted multiple shows as a stand-up comedian or MC. When appointed as the Special Senior Assistant to the Imo State Governor on entertainment, Okey Bakassi also entered the political terrain where he earned another huge income. His past political seat and career have helped him earn N600 million net worth to become one of the richest comedians in Nigeria in 2021.
Gbenga Adeyinka who was born in Ogun state, tags himself as GCON (Grand Comedian of Nigeria). He studied English at the University of Lagos. The great comedian speaks different Nigerian languages, which has improved his success in the comedy industry. Gbenga Adeyinka has worked as an anchor for different TV stations like AIT, Galaxy TV, MBI, and Africa Magic. Adeyinka has also spearheaded many rich ceremonies within and outside Nigeria. He is the first comedian to publish a comedy magazine (Laffmattazz) in Nigeria. In August 2020, Adeyinka went into farming and started a new food company called Aduni Adeyinka foods, which helped increase his net worth to N500 million becoming the 8th richest comedian in Nigeria. Gbenga Adeyinka became popular with his shine shine bobo promo for 'Star Game Show.
The next on our list is Godwin Komone who is popularly known as Gordons. Gordons is a native of the Urhobo, a tribe in Delta state Nigeria. The famous comedian emerged and became popular when the popular Delta state-based Gospel music comedy group known as D.C Envoy came into prominence. He worked as a pastor before his breakthrough in stand-up comedy that earned him so much money. Gordons has hosted many comedy shows that have earned him so much wealth to become one of the richest comedians in Nigeria, including Gordons Comedy Clinic, with more than 4 editions to his name. He has been a regular in AY Live Shows, A Night of a Thousand Laughs and several others. Gordons has also anchored many comedy shows and events within and outside Nigeria.
The last but not the list is Bowoto Jephthah Oluwatiseyifumi Tanimola popularly known as Akpororo who was born on October 3, 1989. From an impoverished background, the rich comedian made his money through his comedy career to become one of the richest comedians in Nigeria in 2021. Akpororo, a native of Ondo state, was born and brought up in Warri, Delta. He began his career as a local gospel musician around 2008 before pursuing a career in comedy after moving to Lagos. Akpororo won AY's Open Mic Challenge in his second trial; he then came to the limelight in 2013 after performing in "Basketmouth's Laff and Jam" show. The comedian is married to Josephine Ijeoma Abraham (a lady from Enugu state, Nigeria). Akpororo has performed regularly in AY Live shows. The talented singer has used his gift to host events and stand-up comedy. One thing that has increased his net worth to become the 10th richest comedian in Nigeria is his 2-year endorsement deal with Airtel Nigeria. He has also bagged many ambassador deals since he came into prominence, like the Fedan Investment Limited (FIL) ambassadorship deal. He has made so much money from his career to become one of the richest comedians in Nigeria, with an estimated networth of N350,000 million.
It can be concluded from this research work that many Nigerian comedians grew up in Warri and their comedy are rib-cracking due to the pidgin English spoken in the Niger Delta region.