Richest Nigerian Comedians by Ethnic Group (2025)
Posted by Fred.mie on October 13, 2025
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Over the last two decades, comedy has transformed from a side hustle into a thriving billion-naira industry in Nigeria. The richest Nigerian comedians by ethnic group represent not only financial success but also cultural influence, bridging the realms of laughter and business acumen. From Yoruba pioneers to Igbo digital stars and Hausa northern entertainers, these comedians highlight the diversity and richness of Nigeria’s humour industry.
Their wealth stems from stand-up performances, international tours, brand endorsements, YouTube and skit monetisation, acting roles, and entrepreneurial ventures. By breaking ethnic and gender stereotypes, these entertainers prove that laughter is both profitable and unifying.
Profiles of Top Comedians by Ethnicity
Igbo:
Although there is a prestigious long list of the richest Igbo comedians, including those who perform at shows, stand-up comedians, and content creators, in this article, we will list just two of them.
1. Basketmouth (Bright Okpocha)
Over two decades in, Basketmouth still moves premium tickets at home and across the diaspora. He is most visibly in London, where he headlined Indigo at The O₂ again on February 15, 2025. That kind of venue continuity and pricing power is a reliable proxy for earning muscle. He’s also expanded into film and TV while insisting stand-up remains his core business, a diversification that stabilises income between tours without diluting the brand that built him. His net worth is estimated to be between $7 million and $10 million.
2. Mark Angel
Mark Angel turned skit comedy into a scaled media business. His MarkAngelComedy channel is still one of Africa’s largest humour platforms (about 9.5M subscribers in mid-to-late 2025). He’s Port Harcourt–born with family roots in Imo State, and his family-friendly skit universe (Emmanuella, Success & co.) gives him an evergreen content flywheel that compounds digitally year after year. On the platform scale alone, augmented by brand work, he comfortably sits in the Igbo top two, placing him in a $1–5m bracket thanks to a decade of YouTube scale and endorsements. In January 2025, he publicly said he lost $3.7m in forex trading, so the current 2025 net worth could be below the top of that range, but no audited update exists.
Richest Yoruba Comedians:
1. AY (Ayodeji Richard Makun)
AY built a franchise, not just a career. AY Live is a Lagos Easter staple that reliably fills Eko Convention Centre. His film IP (30 Days in Atlanta) earned a 2017 Guinness World Records mention for domestic gross, a credential that still opens doors with brands and distributors. In 2025, AY Live returned with full event marketing and ticketing across local platforms, underscoring how its flagship keeps compounding. It’s the rare blend of tent-pole live revenues and film pedigree that justifies a Yoruba. His recent 2025 profiles converge around $5m.
2. Broda Shaggi (Samuel A. Perry)
Shaggi is the social media juggernaut who successfully transitioned into screen acting while maintaining a hyperactive creator cadence. Back-to-back AMVCA wins (Best Actor in a Comedy, 2022 & 2023) cemented brand trust, which translates into richer endorsements and headline fees, especially when paired with his vast Instagram/YouTube reach. The awards-plus-audience combo is why he edges other Yoruba digital stars in 2025’s money conversation. His estimated net worth is around $800,000.
Hausa:
1. Ali Artwork (Ali Muhammad Idris)
Ali Artwork mixes comedy acting, stand-up, and film editing—an uncommon versatility that keeps him booked across northern Nigeria’s Hausa-language market. He has been profiled repeatedly within the ecosystem, including recognition as the “King of Hausa Comedy” by a regional youth forum. His net worth is reportedly over $ 300,000.
2. Mustapha Naburaska (Mustapha Badamasi)
Naburaska represents the durable, television-bred Kannywood comedian: a performer regularly cited by reputable northern outlets as one of the scene’s key successors to the late Dan Ibro. His range includes screen antics, stage comedy, MC work, and a constant presence in regional discourse. In terms of visibility and cross-format bookings, he rounds out the Hausa top two with a net worth of $200,000.
Other South-South Comedians
If we delve deeper, we discover that comedy in Nigeria resonates with every ethnic group. Other wealthy comedians who have been in this business include:
- Ali Baba (Urhobo, Delta)—The “godfather” of Nigerian stand-up, whose corporate MC dominance helped set fee benchmarks still felt today.
- Bovi (Ukwani)—a man on fire as a touring IP, with versatility in writing and acting.
- I Go Die (Urhobo)—international tours and top-tier billing for two decades.
- I Go Save (Isoko) – UK/EU circuits and the long-running Igosave Unusual franchise.
- Gordon’s (Urhobo) – the Comedy Clinic brand, which has gained mainstream visibility.
- Real Warri Pikin (Delta) – A modern crossover of live shows, acting, and brand programs
Sources of Income for Nigerian Comedians
The richest Nigerian comedians, by ethnic group, share common financial pillars:
- Stand-Up Performances & Tours – High-paying corporate shows, weddings, and international tours.
- Movie Production & Acting – Films like AY’s 30 Days in Atlanta generated billions at the box office.
- Digital Platforms – Skit makers like Zicsaloma and Sabinus earn money from YouTube ads, sponsorships, and Instagram content.
- Brand Endorsements – Telecoms, banking, and FMCG brands pay comedians millions to connect with Nigeria’s youthful market.
- Entrepreneurship – Many comedians own event companies, record labels, or invest in real estate.
Conclusion: Wealthy Comedians
The wealthiest comedians, categorised by ethnic group, demonstrate that laughter can be a serious business. From the richest Yoruba comedians in Nigeria, such as AY and Broda Shaggi, to the richest Igbo comedians in Nigeria, including notable names like Basketmouth and Mark Angel, and the richest Hausa comedians in Nigeria, including Mustapha Naburaska and Ali Artwork, these entertainers reflect both ethnic diversity and financial success.
Comedy has evolved into a unifying force in Nigeria, showing that cultural roots can fuel global success. These comedians are not just entertainers; they are entrepreneurs, cultural icons, and trailblazers shaping the future of Nigeria’s creative economy.
FAQs About Richest Nigerian Comedians
1: Who is the overall richest Nigerian comedian?
AY Makun is widely regarded as the overall richest Nigerian comedian in 2025, while Basketmouth ranks as a close second due to his international touring power, and Mark Angel leads in digital earnings.
2: Who are the richest Yoruba comedians in Nigeria?
AY Makun (arena franchise + films + sponsorships) and Broda Shaggi (massive social reach, AMVCA wins, steady endorsements, and screen roles).
3: Who are the richest Igbo comedians in Nigeria?
Basketmouth, with its premium UK/US circuits and sell-out venues, and Mark Angel, with his Africa-scale YouTube empire and evergreen skit IP and brand integrations, are two of the richest Igbo comedians in Nigeria.
4: Who are the richest Hausa comedians in Nigeria?
Ali Artwork, also known as Ali Muhammad Idris, is a prominent figure in Hausa film, skits, and stage performances with a strong record of bookings, while Mustapha Naburaska is a Kannywood star who leverages his television popularity to secure paid shows, MC gigs, and festival appearances.
Ali Artwork AY Basketmouth Broda Shaggi Hausa Igbo Mark Angel Mustapha Naburaska Yoruba
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