In this article I will be sharing with you the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023 and their net worth. Comedians are meant to be funny right? Yes, the comedians dominating Nigeria’s humor business landscapes are funny on stage, but very serious in business, with their assets running into billions of naira. Indeed, comedy has become a serious business in Nigeria. They may look funny and unserious, but in real scenario they are multiplying their bank account and living their dreams. So not to waste much of your time, after a careful study and research I present to you the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023 and their net worth.
10. Akpororo
Bowoto Jephthah popularly known as Akpororo is a Nigerian standup comedian and actor. He is a native of Ilaje, in Ondo State in the south western part of Nigeria. But was born and raised in Warri, Delta state in the south southern part of Nigeria where he had his early education. His career started off as a local gospel musician until in 2008 when he went into the National Comedy Challenge by Opa Williams and went on to win the Calabar zone of the competition. In 2009, Akpororo moved to Lagos and contested twice in the AY’s Open Mic Challenge, coming second in his first try and winning the competition in his second try. He rose to popularity in 2013 following his performance at Basketmouth;s laff and Jam show and went on to perform in several comedy shows including “AY Live”. In June 2015, he signed a 2-year endorsement deal with telecommunication giants Airtel Nigeria. His style of comedy is basically the fusion of secular and church-related jokes. Akpororo has an estimated net worth of over $1 million and currently number 10 on our list of the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023.
9. Yaw
Steve Onu popularly known as Yaw is a famous Nigerian stand-up comedian, on-air personality, actor, master of ceremony, television host, event host, radio personality and all round entertainers. He is also a real estate investor and has a choice of properties in Lagos. He also makes his money from MTN adverts, radio presentations, radio hypes, anchoring events, equipment leasing, real estate investment and other businesses. He attended Osimoye Primary School and St. Ann Secondary School both in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate. In 1995, Yaw obtained a Diploma in Radio, Television and Film Production from the Lagos State University. In 2000, he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from the Lagos State University, majoring in Theater Marketing. He is at present an On-Air Personality at 95.1 Wazobia FM. Yaw has an estimated net worth of over $1.2 million and currently number 9 on our list of the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023.
8. Okey Bakaasi
Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule popularly known as Okey Bakassi is a famous Nigerian stand-up comedian, television personality, Nollywood actor, producer, director, entrepreneur, master of ceremony and a television host. He was born on 23rd October 1969 in Owerri, Imo State in the south eastern part of Nigeria to Mr. Livinus Onyegbule, a retired military personnel and Mrs. Felicia Onyegbule, a nurse. Okey Bakassi completed his primary school education at the Alvan Ikoku Demonstration School in Owerri, Imo State and his secondary school at Federal Government College, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Nigeria. After completing his primary and secondary school education, Okey Bakassi attended Rivers State University of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1992. After graduating from the university, Okey Bakassi got deployed to Lagos State for the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Programme. Okey Bakassi anchors upscale events steadily and has also made huge money from politics as Senior Special Assistant to the former Governor of Imo State on entertainment. He has a mansion in Imo State and in Canada respectively. Okey Bakassi has an estimated net worth of over $1.6 million and currently number 8 on our list of the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023.
7. Bovi
Abovi Ugboma popularly known as Bovi is a famous Nigerian stand-up comedian, actor, television host, presenter, producer, director, television personality and a master of ceremony. He was born on 25th September 1979 in Benin City, Edo State in the south southern part of Nigeria. He is currently 39 years old. He is originally from Warri, Delta State in the South southern part of Nigeria. Bovi attended UNIBEN staff primary school and Benin Boys Model Secondary School, both in Benin City, Edo State in the south southern part of Nigeria and obtained both his First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate. After completing his primary and secondary school education, Bovi attended Delta State University in Abraka and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts. Bovi has performed at several shows both in Nigeria and abroad. He has made a lot of money lately from events, adverts and tours. Presently, he is probably the hottest in the industry. He has made millions from organizing tours adverts, and events. In 2015, Bovi signed a multi million naira deal with GLO. Bovi has an estimated net worth of over $1.8 million and currently number 7 on our list of the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023.
6. Julius Agwu
Julius Agwu is a famous Nigerian comedian, musician, actor and a master of ceremony. He was born on 7th April 1973 in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State in the south southern part of Nigeria to Chief Augustine Amadi Agwu and Mrs Mary Agwu. He is currently 46 years old. He is the fifth child in a family of six children. He started his acting career on stage in the city of Port-Harcourt where he grew up. Julius Agwu completed his primary school education at UBE Primary School and his secondary school education at Government Secondary School both in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, in the south southern part of Nigeria. After completing his primary and secondary school education, Julius Agwu attended University of Port-Harcourt in Rivers State and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts. For over a decade now, Julius Agwu has been organizing two events such as Crack Your Ribs and Laugh for Christ Sake. He is reputed to own properties in 3 states in Nigeria, and is also the CEO of Real Laff Entertainment Company which is an event management firm. His performance fee is 3 million naira per event and his annual take-home is estimated at 180 million naira yearly while his personal organized events are estimated to be about 140 million naira annually. Julius Agwu has an estimated net worth of over $3 million and currently number 6 on our list of the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023.
5. Gbenga Adeyinka
Gbenga Adeyinka is a multi-award-winning Nigerian stand-up comedian, comic actor, radio and TV presenter, writer, and master of ceremony. He hails from Abeokuta in Ogun State in the south southern part of Nigeria and he usually refers to himself as CFR which means Comedian of the Federal Republic and now GCON which means Grand Comedian of Nigeria. He was born on 7th May 1968 in Abeokuta, Ogun State in the south southern part of Nigeria. He is currently 51 years old. After completing his primary and secondary school education, Gbenga Adeyinka attended University of Lagos and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. Gbenga Adeyinka worked as a corporate affairs manager in the engineering firm. He became popular with his shine shine bobo promo for “Star Game Show” he has also anchored Television programmes for AIT, Galaxy TV, MBI, Africa Magic and DSTV. 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. Gbenga Adeyinka has an estimated net worth of over $3.5 million and currently number 5 on our list of the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023.
4. I Go Dye
Francis Agoda popularly known as I Go Dye is a famous Nigerian comedian and a television host. He has featured in several international comedy shows both home and abroad. He was born on 4th April 1979 in Abraka, Delta State in the southern part of Nigeria. He is currently 40 years old. He grew up in Warri, Delta State in the south southern part of Nigeria. He attended Ighogbadu Primary School and College of Commerce both in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria and obtained both his First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate. I Go Dye has followed his passion, developing his comedic artistry at a time when the business of comedy was not fashionable as a career. After a series of top flight performances presenting mock news on the local television station, Bendel Broadcasting Service, I go Dye with the help of his friend I go Save was able to use the platform as a medium to address social issues. Currently I Go Dye is now a United Nations Millennium Developmental Goal Ambassador and the CEO of Revamp Construction Company, a property, real estate and road Construction Company with an annual income of over 500 million naira. I Go Dye also has properties in choice areas across Nigeria, and fleet of luxury cars, he is indeed an amazing entrepreneur. 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. I Go Dye has an estimated net worth of over $4 million and currently number 4 on our list of the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023.
3. Basketmouth
Bright Okpocha popularly known as Basketmouth is a Nigerian comedian, actor, TV presenter, producer and a master of ceremony. He was born on 14th September 1978 in Lagos, Nigeria. He is currently 40 years old. He is currently married with beautiful kids. He is originally from Abia State in the south eastern part of Nigeria, but grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. He completed his primary and secondary school education in Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria before moving higher to further his studies. He attended University of Benin in Edo State, Nigeria and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Anthropology. In 1994, he formed a rapping group called “Da Psychophats” which had 7 members and they started going for shows. In 2005, he was discovered by Oppa Williams through his comedy show titled “Night of a Thousand Laugh” alongside with his friend Bovi. In 2005 and 2006 respectively Basketmouth won the National Comedy Award and the awards for Best Stand-up Comedian of the Year. He has organized popular stand-up comedy concerts and shows in Nigeria and abroad such as Basketmouth Uncensored. He is currently a GLO Ambassador and also has a multimillion contract deal with telecom giant MTN. He has been associated with many companies, signing different endorsement contracts in the last six years. His international show, Basketmouth Uncensored, rakes in over 100 million naira and makes totally over 360 million naira annually. Basketmouth has an estimated net worth of over $6 million and currently number 3 on our list of the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023.
2. AY
Ayo Makun popularly known as AY is an award winning Nigerian comedian, actor, show promoter, event manager, television personality, producer, director and a master of ceremony. He was born on 19th August 1971 in Lagos, Nigeria. He is currently 46 years old. He is the oldest male child from a family of seven children. He is originally from Ifon in Ose local government area of Ondo State in the south western part of Nigeria, but grew up in Warri, Delta State and Lagos State, Nigeria. After his primary and secondary school education, AY proceeded to Delta State University in Abraka and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts. In 2008, he got married to his long time girlfriend Mabel Makun and the couples are blessed with a beautiful kid named Michelle Makun. AY rose to fame after performing at the “Night of a Thousand Laugh” a comedy show hosted by Oppa Williams. He is currently the host and founder of the AY Live shows, AY comedy skits and AY Cribs which he usually publish on YouTube. He is very skillful, creative and talented. In 2008, AY won six awards, making him one of the most accomplished entertainers in Nigeria. In 2009, AY won the Best Comedian in Nigeria at the City People Entertainment Awards. He also won the Most Creative Comedian in Nigeria at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.AY is currently the CEO of Corporate World Entertainment. AY has an estimated net worth of over $7 million and currently number 2 on our list of the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023.
1. Ali Baba
Ali Baba is a famous Nigerian standup comedian, television host, master of ceremony, actor and a television personality. He has been described as the king of comedy in Nigeria and currently the founding father of Nigerian comedy industry. He was born on 24th June 1965 in Warri, Delta State in the south southern part of Nigeria. He is currently 54 years old. Ali Baba was born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria to the Royal family of Agbarha Otor, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State in the south southern part of Nigeria. He is the first son in a family comprising of many girls. His father is a retired military officer and a soldier who served in Lagos State in the south western part of Nigeria. Ali Baba attended Ojo Primary School and Command Secondary School both in Lagos State, Nigeria and obtained both his First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate. After completing his primary and secondary school education, Ali Baba attended Ambrose Ali University Ekpoma in Edo State, Nigeria and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies and Philosophy. With over thirty years of performing on stage as comedian and hosting events for almost all Nigeria’s former presidents and the senators, Ali Baba sits at the apex. Even Nigerian former 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. Ali Baba has an estimated net worth of $8 million and currently number 1 on our list of the top 10 richest comedians in Nigeria in 2023.