Duncan Mighty

The stand up comedians
dominating Nigeria’s humour business landscape 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 crops of old comedians who waite on people for meager rations of life.
After a careful study of the careers of the these successful comedians, investigations have shown 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 earn steady income.
(1) Alibaba:
With over 30 years of performing on stage and hosting events for almost all Nigeria’s former Presidents, Ali Baba sits at the apex. Even former President Olusegun Obasanjo once jokingly accused him of being over paid for his performance. His Lekki Mansion where he lives is said to be worth more than N300 million.
Alibaba makes his money through a chain of businesses in Lagos as a reputed motivational speaker, a professional comedian patronized by almost all the big brands and political bigwigs in the country. His net worth is estimated to be over N3 billion. It is estimated that he performs in a minimum of two events weekly at an average rate of 4 to 4. 5 million naira per event. That would add up to about 400 million naira per annum!
(2) Basket Mouth
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 Limited and a host of others. including his sold out shows in South Africa, London and America and on his Basket Mouth uncensored platform. He has been consistent since he came into limelight.
His assets are estimated to be worth 2 billion naira. His annual income may be in excess N192 million, while endorsement deals run into over 120 million annually. His international show Basket Mouth uncensored rakes in an estimated N100 million. He makes over N360 million annually.
(3) I  Go Dye
United  Nation’s Mille Development 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 300 and 500 million 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  everyday. Presently, he is constructing a bottle water company, Franstel natural bottle water.
(5) Julius Agwu
He made over N20 million 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 organizing two events, ‘Crack Ya 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 Laugh Entertainment Company which is an event management firm. His performance fee is between 2 and 3 million naira per event.
His annual take home is estimated at N180 million, while his personally organized events are estimated to be about N140 million annually, His net worth is valued to be N1.5 billion.
(5)  A.Y. (Layo Makun)
Since his foray into this money-making business, he has risen faster than anticipated with a performance fee that is between N1 and 2 million per event, while his A.Y Live events organized annually rakes in N160 million. He is said to be earning N280 million annually. His net worth is put at N800 million. He is also working on his MVP club and also runs an event company. His movie 30 days in Atlanda, is a block” buster movie that rakes in millions.
He also has fleet of expensive cars and properties at Lekki area of Lagos.
(6) Gbenga Adeyinka
No comedian anchors more events than him presently. He is constantly busy and a top choice for politicians. He has properties and several business interests, besides his Laffmattaz, which is always a sold out show with over 5000 people in attendance every year.
(7) Okey Bakasi
He anchors upscale events steadily and must have made huge money from politics as senior special assistant on entertainment in Imo State and Canada.
(8) Tee-A
A highly gifted wedding MC. He has equipment and an events company. He anchors many high level events and also does private businesses.
(9) Bovi
He has made a lot of money lately from events, adverts and  tours. He is probably the hottest kid in the scene right now.
(10) Yaw
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.