The richest comedians in Nigeria have gained massive popularity and wealth, thanks to the growing comedy industry in the country. Nigeria is known for its love for laughter, making comedy a lucrative career. The industry has become the third-largest entertainment industry in Nigeria, worth over N50 billion annually.
With several major players in the industry, some comedians have gained substantial wealth from endorsements, contracts, and independent comedy shows. Additionally, the recent shift towards digitalisation and Nollywood production has brought about new opportunities for comedians to showcase their talent and earn more money.
We carefully researched the net worth of Nigerian comedians based on their brand endorsements, business ventures, and other income sources. In this article, we present the top 10 wealthiest comedians in Nigeria as of 2023, based on their net worth from the comedy industry.
| Rank | Name | Net worth |
| 1 | Ali Baba | N3.5 billion |
| 2 | AY | N3 billion |
| 3 | Basketmouth | N2 billion |
| 4 | I Go Dye | N1.8 billion |
| 5 | Bovi | N1.5 billion |
| 6 | Julius Agwu | N1 billion |
| 7 | Okey Bakassi | N830 million |
| 8 | Gbenga Adeyinka | N500 million |
| 9 | Gordons | N400 million |
| 10 | Akpororo | N350 million |
1. Ali Baba (₦3.5 Billion)
Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba, is a stand up Nigerian comedian. He is known as the king of comedy. He also has a flourishing career in mastering ceremonies and acting.
His versatility has earned him a net worth of ₦3.5 billion. He is the richest comedian in Nigeria, He has been the richest comedian in Nigeria since 2022. He is widely acknowledged as a godfather of comedy in the Nigerian entertainment industry for his pioneering work in carving out a space for humour.
As “the father of the comedy business,” Ali Baba is highly respected within the industry and has served as a mentor to many other comedians. He began his professional comedy career as far back as 1990 and was already earning millions of Naira. In 2014, he launched an annual comedy show called the 1 January Concert.
Despite being born into a royal family, Ali Baba started out performing at corporate events and appearing on television shows. He soon became more prominent and began hosting comedy events across all 36 states of the federation. He holds the distinction of being the most-awarded comedian in Nigeria, having earned over 15 accolades.
As one of the industry pioneers, Ali Baba established an annual comedy event called Spontaneity to provide a platform for emerging comedians to make a name for themselves. Notable proteges who have emerged from this event include the popular Woli Arole, a finalist in the 2016 edition.
Ali Baba strongly believes that his business is big enough to accommodate anyone wanting to pursue comedy. He has provided support, mentorship, and opportunities to numerous comedians, thereby promoting professionalism and ensuring that industry standards are upheld.
2.AY(3 billion)
Ayodeji Richard Makun, popularly known as A.Y, is a multi-talented Nigerian entertainer excelling in various fields such as acting, comedy, radio and TV presenting, writing, producing, and directing films. He was born on the 19th of August 1971 so he is 52 years old. AY’s contributions span across multiple platforms, showcasing his versatility and creativity in the entertainment industry.
AY has a net worth of N3 billion, he is the second wealthiest comedian in Nigeria. He is renowned for hosting one of the country’s most significant comedy events, “AY Live,” which boasts a lineup of top comedians such as Bovi and Helen Paul.
He gained widespread recognition after featuring in the comedy show “Night of a Thousand Laughs”. As a significant investor in stand-up comedy, AY has provided opportunities for upcoming comedians through his “AY Open Mic Challenge.”
3. Basketmouth(2 billion)
Ranked as the third wealthiest comedian in Nigeria, Bright Okpocha, popularly known as Basketmouth, has an estimated net worth of ₦2 billion. Although he initially started in the Nigerian entertainment industry as a rapper, Basketmouth is now considered one of the greatest comedians in the industry, having amassed a fortune from his craft.
He has organized numerous successful stand-up comedy concerts like Basketmouth Uncensored across the globe, earning him widespread recognition. In 2005 and 2006, he won the National Comedy Award and the award for Best Stand-up Comedian of the Year. Recently, he was nominated for The Humour Awards Academy 2021 alongside Mr Funny.
In addition to his comedy career, Basketmouth has secured significant deals as a Glo ambassador, earning only N2 million from his contracts.
4. I Go Dye(1.8 billion)
I Go Dye, whose real name is Francis Agoda, started his career in entertainment as a presenter of mock news at the Delta State Broadcasting Service with his friend Otagware Onodjayeke, also known as I Go Save. However, he soon turned to stand-up comedy and began earning one thousand Naira per show.
Despite starting out small, I Go Dye’s talent and hard work have paid off, as he is now one of the richest comedians in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of N1.8 billion (USD 7 million). He has organized several international comedy shows, including “I Go Dye Standing,” which has been held in various countries across the globe.
I Go Dye’s comedic skills were evident from a young age, and he quickly rose to fame, working with some of Nigeria’s most significant comedians, producers, and organizers. He is known for using his comedy to address political and social issues, but he firmly believes that comedy should never be used as a weapon or to spread hate.
5. Bovi (₦1.5 Billion)
Bovi Ugboma is one of the best comedians in Nigeria, he is also a writer, and actor, has been a prominent figure in the Nigerian comedy scene for over 20 years. He has an estimated networth of ₦1.5 Billion. Bovi was born on the 25th of September 1978, he is 45 years old. He first gained recognition for his performance in the famous TV play “Extended Family.”
Bovi began his acting career in 2007, starring in the Nigerian “Extended Family” sitcom, which made him a household name. The following year, he took on the stage as a stand-up comedian, performing in the popular show “Nights of a Thousand Laughs.” He held his first stand-up special at the prestigious Eko Convention Center, solidifying his place as a top comedian in the industry.
Bovi has organized numerous stand-up comedy concerts, including “Bovi: Man on Fire,” which has been held in various countries across the globe. In addition to comedy, Bovi has also ventured into acting and filmmaking. His debut film, “It’s Her Day,” grossed 55 million Naira at the Nigerian box office, and he was nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy at the AMVCA awards in 2017.
6. Julius Agwu (1 billion)
With an impressive net worth of ₦1 Billion, Julius Agwu is among the pioneers of Nigeria’s comedy industry. Although he began his acting career, Julius found his breakthrough in the comedy industry and reportedly became the first Nigerian comedian to break the N1 billion net worth mark.
In addition to his successful comedy career, Julius is the CEO of Reellaif Limited, a music and movie production company that has produced good comedy shows like Festival of Love, Laff 4 Christ’s Sake, and Crack Ya Ribs.
Julius is highly regarded as one of the most influential comedians globally. He has won the 19th African Film Awards and was granted honorary citizenship from the City of Riverdale in Atlanta, Georgia, for his charity and philanthropic works.
7. Okey Bakassi (830 million)
Okey Bakassi, a renowned comedian in Nigeria, has a net worth of N830 million. He was born Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule and began his education at the Alvan Ikoku Demonstration School in Owerri. He continued to Mbaise Secondary School and then to the Rivers State University of Science & Technology to study Engineering.
Despite studying engineering, Okey’s passion for comedy remained unwavering, and he eventually became a successful comedian known for his ability to tell jokes through scenarios. He has acted a lot of nigerian comedy movies and series.
In addition to his comedy career, Okey has ventured into acting and got nominated for and won the “Best Actor in a Leading Role (Igbo)” award at 2014 Best of Nollywood Awards for his significant role in Onye Ozi.
8. Gbenga Adeyinka – ₦500 MILLION
Gbenga Adeyinka is a renowned Nigerian comedian who is known for organizing large shows for government officials. He is the founder and CEO of ‘Laffmattaz’, a popular comedy show that has been very successful.
Aside from his work in comedy, Adeyinka is involved in various organizations and owns several properties in major cities across Nigeria. His net worth is estimated to be ₦500 million.
Adeyinka’s comedy style includes stand-up, theatre, and movies. He has a degree in English from the University of Lagos and initially worked in an Engineering company in Lagos before leaving to pursue an entertainment career. He gained fame with his popular promo, ‘Shine Bobo’.
9. Gordons – N400 million
With an estimated net worth of ₦400 million, Godwin Komone, popularly known as Gordons, is ranked as the ninth richest comedian in Nigeria. He gained fame as a member of the famous Delta state-based Gospel music comedy group, D.C Envoy.
After trying his hand at various projects, Gordons finally found success in the comedy industry. He has hosted numerous comedy shows in Nigeria and around the world. He is also a significant stakeholder in the Night of A Thousand Laughs franchise, one of Nigeria’s biggest comedy shows.
10. Akpororo (₦350 Million)
Akpororo, whose real name is Bowoto Jephthah Oluwatiseyifumi Tanimola, is a famous Nigerian stand-up comedian, vocalist, and actor. He has gained a massive following in Nigeria due to his exceptional comedic skills and quick wit. Despite being relatively young, Akpororo has rapidly climbed the ranks of the Nigerian entertainment industry, performing in numerous high-profile shows and organizing his own events.
One of the remarkable things about Akpororo is his ability to perform in church-organized events, a feat that is rare among comedians in Nigeria. Due to his immense popularity, Akpororo’s net worth is estimated at around 350 million Naira.
How We Ranked The Richest Comedians In Nigeria
To rank the richest comedians in Nigeria, we conducted extensive research to gather data on their net worth, including their various income sources, current assets, brand endorsements, and other business ventures. Brand endorsements were found to be a significant contributor to the overall net worth of the comedians listed above.
We also studied the comedians’ income sources. For example, Ayo Makun has gained a significant amount of money from movie productions, while Ali Baba received recognition and money for his role in the popular movie by Kemi Adetiba, “The Wedding Party.” It is important to note that these factors were considered alongside other sources of income in our ranking of the richest comedians in Nigeria.