Best Nollywood Comedians: Top 15

Nollywood comedians may sound stereotypical, but it perfectly describes these actors. Nollywood movies are known to master the comedy genre and these top Nollywood comedians are the backbones of most Nigerian comedy movies. Nigerian actors have been thrilling screens for years. Nollywood is a fast-rising industry, getting better every day. Comedy they say is essential in everyone’s life. Humour solves a lot of life issues and these guys are comic doctors.

Here is a list of Nollywood comedians.

1. Table of Contents

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   Nkem Owoh (Osoufia)

Nkem Owoh is a Nigerian actor and comedian, arguably the funniest in the industry. He rose to fame after starring in a comedy-drama Osoufia in London as Osoufia. The character’s name has become his alias in the industry as it is what put him in the spotlight.  The Enugu born star studied Engineering at the University of Ilorin. Nkem Owoh is known to commit well to his character, with his funny remarks, the actor has thrilled the African continent and beyond. It is sometimes said that he doesn’t need a script to play roles, all the director needs to do is describe the character and scene and Nkem will deliver.

2. Sam Loco Efe

Sam Loco Efe before his death, was one of Nollywood’s finest actors. He cracked ribs non-stop in movies he featured in. In Nollywood, Sam Loco Efeeimwonkiyeke was often cast alongside Aki and Pawpaw as their father and Nkem Owoh as his father or friend. Sam Loco was born December 25^th, 1945 and died August 11^th, 2011 in Enugu state, Nigeria. Sam Loco began his acting career in elementary school when he joined a theatre group. His emergence as the best actor in a competition earned him a scholarship to complete his primary school education. He was still active in the drama society in secondary school and fought in the Nigerian Civil War thereafter. He went on to work at Michelin Tyres and Dunlop Tyres before his big break in the industry. Sam Loco is known for his ‘savage’ remarks and unfiltered speech.

3. Osita Iheme (Paw Paw)

Osita Iheme is a unique actor. He was born on February 20, 1982, in Imo State, Nigeria and graduate of Computer Science from Lagos State University. Osita Iheme is a Nigerian actor best known for his role as Paw Paw in the hit Nollywood comedy movie, Aki na Ukwa alongside Chinedu Ikedezie. His physique has allowed him effectively to commit to the character of a rascal. Often cast as a child, Osita has also been adopted to mature roles. Osita Iheme is a talented actor, pulling out different jokes in every film he stars in. The name Aki has stuck with the actor and is now an alias in the industry. He was honoured in 2007 at the African Movie Academy Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award.  With over a hundred films in his filmography, Osita Iheme is one of the best actors of his time.

4. Chinedu Ikedieze (Aki)

Chindeu Ikediezesecond member, Aki, of the duo, Aki and Paw Paw. Born December 12, 1977, in Bende, Abia State, Nigeria, Chinedu Ikediezie in a Nollywood comedian and all-round star. He is best known for playing alongside Osita Iheme in most movies after their breakthrough in the movie Aki na Ukwa.  In 2007 Ikedieze also received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Africa Magic Movie Award. The Chinedu Ikedieze brand has gone from strength to strength in the film industry. His roles never fail to leave the audience breathless. He is funny and creative. From film to sitcom, Chinedu can do anything.

5. John Okafor (Mr. Ibu)

John Okafor, also known as Mr. Ibu is the typical village champion. He was born October 17^th, 1961 in Enugu state, Nigeria. His comedic acting is often characterised by stupidity, hilarious imbecility and a sharp disconnection from reality. John Okafor has starred in over 200 films, is fun to watch and he is a respected comedic actor in Nollywood.

6. Francis Odega (Sylas)

Francis Odega is a Nigerian actor and comedian popularly called Sylas.  He was born in Delta State, Nigeria and holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Ambrose Ali University. The talented actor is known for his roles which identify most time as silly and perverted. The actor hit ultimate fame when a video clip of him in a film went viral, bagging him numerous endorsements and spots in music videos. He is one of the pioneer comedians of Nite of a Thousand Laughs and an award-winning actor.

7. Funke Akindele (Jenifa)

Funke Akindele Bello was born August 24^th, 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State Nigeria. She is one of the biggest acts in the film industry. Heavily awarded, Funke Akindele’s character Jenifa brings out her funny side. The actress is thrilled with her funny accent and remarks. Funke has made a mark in the industry and her versatility keeps her in front of the game. Funke is talent and brains as she has an OND in Mass Communication from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and a Law degree from the University of Lagos.

8. Okey Bakassi

Okey Bakassi is a Nigerian actor and comedian. He was born Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule on October 23^rd, 1969. Okey Bakassi began his dream to entertain back in school when he formed a group with some friends, ‘Theatre Kolleagues’. With his experience in stand-up comedy, Okey Bakassi has cracked ribs on screen with his epic performances in movies.

9. Helen Paul

Helen Paul is a Nigerian singer, actress, on-air personality, and comedian. She does stand-up comedy under the alias Tatafo which means talkative. Helen Paul is extremely funny in films. Her high-pitched voice makes it easy for her to play the annoying comedic character. Her comedy has landed her on stages and projects with Yinka Davies, P Square and more. The Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Lagos is a star in her field.

10. Ayo Makun

Ayo Makun popularly called A.Y was born on August 19^th.  He is from Ifon, Ose local government in Ondo State but prefers to be known as a ‘Warri boy’. He is a multi-award-winning Nigerian actor, comedian, radio and T.V presenter, actor, writer, director, and MC. A.Y has won numerous awards and held a lot more shows to thrill his audience. His Nollywood endeavors such as AY’s Crib and 30 Days in Atlanta, have also put him on the map of Nollywood comedians.

11. Afeez Oyetoro (Saka)

Afeez Oyetoro was born August 20, 1963. He is a Nigerian comic actor popularly known as ‘Saka’. He obtained a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree in Theatre Art from Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan respectively. He is currently on a doctorate degree at the University of Ibadan. Afeez Oyetoro plays the clown in Nollywood movies. His characters are often funny and less intelligent than his average counterpart. His humour landed him a couple of endorsement deals and recognition nationwide.

12. Bolaji Amusan (Mr. Latin)

Bolaji Amusan was born October 15^th, 1966. He is a Nigerian comic actor, filmmaker, director, and producer. Popularly known as Mr. Latin, Bolaji Amusan began acting in 1988 and featured in a movie titled 50-50, produced in 1990 by the late Akin Ogungbe. Since then, he has given hit performances back to back in Nollywood. Naturally funny, Bolaji Amusan never fails to make you laugh when you watch him.

13. Odunlade Adekola

Odunlade Adekola is a thrilling Nollywood actor, funny by nature and the king of memes. He was born December 31^st, 1978 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria and is an actor, producer, director, and filmmaker. He has starred in over a hundred Yoruba films and is naturally funny in every role he plays. Odunlade Adekola over delivers in each film and the viewers love it.

14. Olaniyi Afonja (Sanyeri)

Olaniyi Mikail Afonja, popularly known as Sanyeri, is a Nigerian actor and producer. He was born in Oyo State, Nigeria. Olaniyi’s acting career started in 1992 after joining a theatre group introduced by him by a friend. In 1996, Olaniyi relocated to Lagos to further his career and has since starred in several Yoruba films. Olaniyi Afonja is hilarious and plays the hilarious lout in most films he features in. He is a top pick in the Yoruba film industry.

15. Sunday Omobolanle (Aluwe)

Sunday Omobolanle popularly called Papi luwe or Aluwe, is a Nigerian comic actor, playwright, film director and producer. He was born October 1^st, 1954. He has made numerous contributions to the Nigerian film industry and is unbelievably funny in every character he plays. Sunday Omobolanle, has made a name for himself in the industry as a veteran in his field and is honoured.