The entertainment industry is arguably the most thriving one in the country at the moment.

The heart of Nigerians has continuously been broken in recent years consistently due to ugly factors like bad governance, poor infrastructure, poor educational systems and most prominently, insecurity.

And entertainment – consisting of music, movies, comedy, dance, games, lifestyle and fashion – has posed as a soft, fluffy pillow for Nigerians to find solace in spite of their aching hearts.

Hence, arts that prove to be entertaining have the entire country as their market.

So many people – young and old – have plugged into this light and have made really cool money, fame and a sphere of influence for themselves, their children and even their generations to come.

In our Special Feature in this edition of your favouriteMaggie’s Blog, we present to you five jokers in Nigeria that have grabbed the comedy industry like bull by the horn.

Call them the rib crackers and you would be perfectly in order.

Akpobome Atunyota (Alibaba)

Like so many other entertainers in the country, childhood was tough for Alibaba. He was born in Warri, Delta State 54 years ago and attended a public primary school.

Atunyota is a familiar face in the industry as he has been hosting events, organising box office shows and doing stand up for twenty-eight years.

Asides comedy, Alibaba is a notable actor and has featured in several movies and professional music videos.

Today, Akpobome is regarded as Nigeria’s King of Comedy as he is noted to have supported several up-and-coming acts to gain their stands in the industry.

Bright Okpocha (Basketmouth)

The Abia State born comedian stepped into limelight in the year 2000 and has been pulling ‘boss strings’ ever since.

Basketmouth, as he is professionally and popularly called, has organised and hosted events all over the globe.

Some of these events includeSon of PeterandBasketmouth Uncensored.

In 2005 and 2006 Basketmouth won the National Comedy Award and the awards for Best Stand-up Comedian of the Year.

Married with kids, Bright combines being a family man comfortably with his job and this is obvious in the way he flaunts his children and family on social media.

The 40-year-old is also a familiar face in Nollywood movies and TV sitcoms. His is the major character in African Magic’sMy Flatmates.

Ayodeji Makun (AY)

Ayo Makun came into spotlight after being Alibaba Akporobome’s personal assistant and event manager.

AY also wrote going “AY wire” as a guest columnist inThe Sun(Nigeria) newspaper and Gbenga Adeyinka’s “Laugh Mattaz”.

Ayo is the first male child in a family of seven children. AY is a multiple award winning joker and some of his awards include a UN Peace Ambassador title in 2009 and Comedian of the Year, Nigerian Entertainment Award.

According to Wiki, Ayo Makun directs and acts in one of Nigeria’s popular sitcom,AY’s Cribwith Alex Ekubo, Venita Akpofure, Buchi Franklin and Justice Nuagbe. He also hosts one of Africa’s largest comedy shows,AY Livefeaturing comedians like Bovi, Helen Paul and many other comedians.

Ayo Makun is also the chief executive officer for Corporate World entertainment, Nigeria. He also owns a club house.

As an investor in stand-up comedy, he has influenced upcoming comedians through his AY Open Mic Challenge.

Bovi Ugboma

He is popular for his international show calledBovi Man on Fire. He began his career as an actor after appearing in a popular TV sitcom calledExtendedFamilyin 2007 which was also written and produced by him.

By Wiki, he got his big break as a stand-up comedian inOpa Williams’Nite of a 1000 Laughs. In 2013, his first stand-up special held at the prestigious Eko Convention Center.

He would go on to stage the sequel in 2014.Bovi Man on Fire2014 also featured international superstars Ja Rule and Ashanti.

Bovi took the one man special to several cities in the United States, London, Melbourne, and Toronto.

In 2017, after a three year hiatus, theMan on Firefranchise returned to Lagos and it was the most successful yet.

The fourth edition in Lagos held in April 2019 and Bovi insists it’s the last of the man on Fire franchise. He says his next special will go by another title.

Bovi began a series titled “Back to School” in 2018 which he uploads in his YouTube channel.

Bovi has worked alongside other Nigerian comedians such as I Go Dye, I Go Save, Basketmouth, Buchi, Odogwu, Okey Bakassi, Julius Agwu and many others.

Julius Agwu

Often referred to as a legend in the industry, Julius is one of the founding fathers of comedy in Nigeria.

Born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, South-South of Nigeria to Chief Augustine Amadi Agwu and Mrs Mary Agwu, he is the fifth child in a family of six children.

Julius started his acting career on stage in the city of Port Harcourt where he grew up.

The peak of his career was between 2000 and 2006 as he dropped songs which topped charts and became instant hits. Asides singing and cracking jokes, Julius Agwu is also an actor and businessman.

He is the MD/CEO of Reellaif Limited, a music and movie production company. He is also an entertainment consultant and motivational speaker. He is the think-tank behind comedy shows likeCrack Ya Ribs,Laff 4 Christ's SakeandFestival ofLove.