How Comedy can be a Fortune on Campus

Comedy was taken for the fun of it when the late Moses Adejumo, aka Baba Sala, the doyen of comedy in Nigeria, was reigning.

Then it was almost for free to harvest a large dose of rib-cracking jokes. However, the comedians stood at an advantage of being famous. 

Just like Adejumo, others such as Ojo Ladipo aka Baba Mero, Ola Omonitan, and the very junior ones like Papilolo, the late Jacob, Aderupoko, and many others were also household names. 

But unlike the era of the popular comedians mentioned earlier, stand-up comedy making waves in present day Nigeria, and Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome aka Ali Baba, is the pioneer. 

The art, where Ali Baba has made a tremendous impact by dint of hard work, is fetching the youths a lots of benefits today.

On campuses today, youths do not only use stand-up comedy as a pastime but also as an avenue to augment their allowances.

From men to ladies who have also gained entrance into an art dominated by men, stand-up comedy is embraced by all who have the talent to keep their audience laughing with an endless stream of jokes and wisecracks.    

One notable benefit of comedy for youths is that it has become a source of employment. A youth who is witty and has a lot of jokes in his kitty, and can use them intelligently to make the melancholic smile cannot be searching for employment. From his talent, he can earn a decent living.

According to an analyst, the Nigerian comedy business turns in as much as N50 billion annually. From Ali Baba, Bright Opocha aka Basketmouth; Ayo Makun aka AY, to others, the charges per show range between N5 million and N2 million. It depends on how popular they are.

Many students charge high fees when they serve as comperes at events, shows, and parties to compensate for what their parents give them as stipends or allowances.

If a student is so talented, he can make a lot of income when he comperes shows, parties, and events on campus. Nevertheless, he has to balance his newfound veritable source of additional income with his academics so that he does not suffer.

Aside from earning more income on campus, such talented students can venture into skit making, which is now on the increase in the country. Comedy skit at present is a source of employment. 

According to research conducted by African Polling Institute, more than 90 percent of Nigerians polled believe that comedy skits were more of a source of employment. 

Also in its report, Jobberman Nigeria said skit-making was employing more than four million people in the country, and that it could create additional 2.7 million jobs by 2025.

In any case, employment and money making are not the only benefits derivable from comedy, there are lots of other benefits such as influencing personal development, financial growth, and self-esteem. A student or youth who battles low self-esteem can have it stimulated simply through comedy.

Stand-up comedy allows youths to express their talents, serving as a source of exposure, and making them well connected to the people of influence.

Many of the vibrant stand-up comedians are now brand ambassadors. They are so famous, become celebrities, and are serving as mentors to many other youths.

A comedian with good content can use his comedy to teach morals and good conduct through his delivery while performing.

Comedy can serve as a coping skill when confronted with mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and many other psychological health challenges. It relieves stress and serves as a natural pain killer.