Entertainment
Parading 10 Richest Nigerian Comedians
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.
The Garden City of Rivers State Port Harcourt at the weekend joined other parts of the world to celebrate the World Music Day, 2025, as Alliance Française showcases talents.
The event which is internationally known as Fête de la musique was held at cultural hall of the Alliance Française was a remarkable concert with memorable experience.
The event brought together music lovers, students, Artistes and members of the community For an exciting evening live performances and cultural exchange.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the world Music Day, which was created 1982 in France by the then Minister of culture, Jack Lang, ‘ Fête de la Musique’ is now celebrated in more than 100 countries every 21st June, marking the first day of summer with free concerts and musical showcases in public spaces.
In Port Harcourt, the Alliance Française honoured the tradition by spotlighting four(4) emerging artistes offering a platform to young talents shaping the city’s contemporary scene.
The audience enjoyed an unforgettable moments as they were entertained by the powerful performances from Preach A, who is known for blending fitness culture with spoken words and rhythm.
Also, artiste Emmayany delivering a vibrant fusion of afrobeat and afro pop. A singer, song writer and a performing artiste with a distinct sound.
Others were Amarachy Uko, a sensational singer with passion for soul , R&B, pop music and afrobeat.
While DJ Prospel closed the night with an energetic DJ set that got the entire hall dancing.
Earlier, the Director, Alliance Française, Port Harcourt Mrs Marina Lacal high lighted the mission of the Alliance Française saying that the event was more than a concert.
According to her, the event was put together by the Alliance Française to promote cultural diversity and foster artistic expression by connecting a long standing French tradition with creativity of the local music scene, adding that the event offerers an avenue for dialogue between culture and generations.
She stated that the event is used to promote professional and bring amateur artistes to limelight via the platform of the Alliance Française which is aimed at promoting the French Language through cultural heritage.
She explained that the celebration is also a broader series of Fête de la musique activities organized by the 10 Alliance Française across Nigeria in sync with concerts held in France and around the world simultaneously.
She further noted that the occasion reaffirms the role of Alliance Française as a cultural bridge, one where French heritage meets the pulses of Nigerian youth.
It would be recalled that no fewer than 19 artistes applied to perform at the event in Port Harcourt, but only four got approval for appearance.
The Governor of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers State chapter, Comrade Moses Mabadeje popularly known as Mozy B said that the body has announced plans to implement performance Levy on artistes in the state with effect from 21st June.
This was carried in a statement released to The Tide Entertainment, yesterday by the Deputy Governor of the association, Comrade Abiye Howells.
According to the Governor, the announcement was made by PMAN, the only governing body that regulates the music profession in Nigeria, as authorized by the Government of Nigeria, in line with the Trade Union Act.
He stated that those affected by the Levy include (Non members)bands, groups, Hotels, Bars, lounges, Event Centres, show organizers, promoters and other stakeholders hosting events which feature live music performances within the State.
However, the Levy does not apply to members of the Performing Musicians Employer’s Association of Nigeria. (PMAN).
Comrade Moses Mabadeje, explained that this drive is aimed at financing the association and supporting the welfare and interest of musicians as outlined in Article 8 of the PMAN constitution as amended (2023). Consequently, a PMAN task force has been set up to enforce and swing into action to effect this move.
He further said that event organizers, promoters and owners of event centers are expected to comply with this regulation as the Governor has urged stakeholders to collaborate with the association to ensure the successful implementation of the levy and the peaceful co-existence between PMAN and Stockholders.
Nancy Briggs
Entertainment
“French Up Your Career” PH, 2025 :Consul General Of France Harps On Proficiency In French
The Consul, General of France in Nigeria, Laurent Favier has encouraged French Learners to improve their skills on the language, as there are lots of opportunities up for grabs on the job market with fluency in French Language, saying that there are many other career paths which are often less well known to learners of French.
Participants at the “French Up Your Career” event held in Port Harcourt.
Favier who disclosed this during the just concluded third edition of the seminar tagged “French Up Your Career” organized by Alliance
Française, Port Harcourt explained that learning French doesn’t mean adding a language to your resume. It rather provides learners with new opportunities. Irrespective of their area of interest, be it diplomatic and International relations, international development, translation and Interpretation or journalism.
According to the Consul General, it was important to create awareness for young Nigerians in Port Harcourt who desire to have better understanding of how been fluent in French can create diverse career opportunities for users of the languages in Nigeria and the world at large, emphasizing that proficiency in French could possibly make learner a bridge between Nigeria and fast-developing regions.
“You previously heard this morning about how you can improve your French skills. This afternoon you will discover how being fluent in French can provide a significant edge on the job market and lead to professional careers that you may not have even considered before,”
“This event comes at the right time, as it launches the celebration of the richness and diversity of French-speaking cultures, which will mobilize us for more than a month throughout Nigeria and alongside other French-speaking countries,” Favier added.
He further highlighted that French is spoken by over 300 million people across the world, saying that, it’s one of the official languages of the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.
“There are many neighbouring African countries to Nigeria ,who have French as one of their primary languages of communication including Cameroon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So, what does this mean for you as students here in Nigeria?” He asked
“These sectors in which the French Embassy is often mobilized are the business and marketing field for example, as French is often the preferred language in many multinational companies, particularly those in the energy, oil and telecommunications sectors. I’m thinking as well in technology and IT,” he said
He noted that French-speaking countries in Africa are investing heavily in tech, innovation, and infrastructure, revealing that companies in Tech are looking for bilingual professionals to assist with software localization, customer support, and managing projects in French-speaking regions.
“The French embassy is not only mobilized to help learners discover promising sectors. We are also providing our support and expertise in
training teachers and optimizing university programs,” he summed up
Also, the linguistics cooperation attaché, French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange, who also gave a lecture at the seminar, in an interview with Newsmen said that the main purpose of the seminar was to be more informative and supportive to those who want to make a skill out of French Language,saying that as the linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy it is her duty to promote French language through culture.
She cited traditional stereotypes as a major challenge affecting the growth and development of French in Nigeria, as school, teachers at the primary and secondary level in most cases teach French using the traditional way, where students learn French, but could not put words and grammar together as a skill for communicate.
“French is important. I don’t see French as colonization, l see French as a key to embrace globalization, l hope that learners will be inspired and ready to embrace the global village,” Losange said.
She however said that the French Embassy is working to ensure that equipments to facilitate the learning of French is put in place to enable learners improve their skills fast, which in two to three years learners should be able to communicate with French, advising learners to be intentional with learning the language, through social media and other workable devices to advance their skills for certification and better opportunities.
Highlight of the event which had about 250 participants in attendance was the eloquence award ceremony where students were awarded for their eloquence in French language by the Director, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs.Marina Lacal alongside the Linguistics cooperation attaché of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Magaly Losange.
After two edition of the seminar it was the turn of the Alliance Française, Port Harcourt to host the Third edition.
It would be recalled that the first edition of ” “French Up Your Career” event was organized at the Alliance Française Lagos on October 23, the second one at UNILAG on November 24, 2024 respectfully.