Comedians are meant to be funny, right? Yes, the stand-up
comedians dominating Nigeria’s humour business are funny quite
alright on stage, but very serious in business.
With assets running into billions of naira, they are light years
apart from the past crops of old comedians who wait on people for meager
rations of life.
They may look funny and unserious, but they are cavorting to the bank
and living their dreams. Ali Baba, the father of stand-up comedians in
Nigeria, aptly captured in words, the profitability of comedy business
when he said: “comedy is a funny business, a very big business.”
After a careful study of the careers of these successful comedians,
Showtime came to the conclusion that a number of them are outstanding.
Here are the top 10 in this branch of entertainment in terms of their
assets, the money they charge per show, the various products or
corporate endorsements they did, and their established brands from which
they make steady income.
With over thirty years of performing on stage and hosting events for
almost all Nigeria’s former presidents and the present one, Ali Baba
sits at the apex. Even President Olusegun Obasanjo once jokingly accused
him of being overpaid for his performance. His Lekki mansion where he
lives is said to be worth more than N300 million alone.
Alibaba makes his money through a chain of businesses in Lagos: as a
reputed motivational speaker, a professional comedian patronised by
almost all the big brands and political bigwigs in the country. His net
worth is estimated to be over 3 billion naira. It is estimated that he
performs in a minimum of two events weekly at an average rate of 4 to
4.5million naira per event. That would add up to about 400 million naira
per annum!
He has been associated with many companies, signing different
endorsement contracts in the last six years. He also has an impressive
list of branding deals with Amstel Malta, Globacom Ltd. and a host of
others. With his sold-out shows in South African, London, and even in
far away America, and on his Basketmouth Uncensored platform, the
comedian has been so consistent since he came to limelight.
His assets are estimated to be worth 2 billion naira. His annual
income may be in excess of 192 million, while endorsement deals run into
over 120 million annually. His international show, Basketmouth
Uncensored, rakes in an estimated 100million naira. This artiste makes
over 360 million annually.
United Nations Millennium Developmental Goal Ambassador, Amb. Francis
Agoda, fondly called I Go Dye is the C.E.O of Revamp Construction
Company, a property, real estate and road Construction Company. An
estimate of his annual income stands between 350 and 500million naira,
while his net worth is valued at over 2 billion naira. With properties
in choice areas across Nigeria, and fleet of luxury cars, he is the man
to beat. He also has a special performing relationship with almost all
the governors in the country. His business empire is increasing every
day. Presently, he is constructing a bottle water company, Franstel
Natural Bottle Water.
He made over 20 million naira alone from the launch of his book when
he turned 40. He has properties scattered all over the country, a
state-of-the-art audio and video studio, and more political affiliates
than any other comedian.
For over a decade now, Julius Agwu has been organising two events:
Crack Your Ribs and Laugh for Christ Sake. He is reputed to own
properties in 3 states in Nigeria, and is also the C.E.O of Real Laff
Entertainment Company which is an event management firm. His performance
fee is between 2 to 3million naira per event, and his annual take-home
is estimated at 180million while his personally organised events are
estimated to be about 140 million annually. His net worth is valued to
be 1.5 billion naira.
Since his foray into this money making business, he has risen faster
than anticipated with a performance fee that is between 1 and 2 million
naira per event, while his A.Y Live events organised annually rakes in
160 million annually. He is said to be earning 280 million naira
annually. His net worth is put at 800 million naira. He is also working
on his MVP club and also runs an event company. He also has fleets of
cars and properties at Lekki area in Lagos.
No comedian anchors more events than him presently. He is constantly
busy and a top choice with politicians.He has properties and several
business interests besides his Laffmattaz which is always a sold out
show with more than 5000 people in attendance every year
He anchors upscale events steadily and must have made huge money from
politics too as Senior Special Assistant on entertainment in Imo State.
He has a mansion in Imo State and Canada.
A highly gifted wedding MC, he has equipment and an events company.
He anchors mainly heightened events and also does private businesses
He has made a lot of money lately from events, adverts and tours. He is probably the hottest kid right now.
Yaw is into the big league with a choice property in Lagos. He also
makes money from MTN adverts, radio presentations, radio hypes,
anchoring events, equipment leasing and other businesses.
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