January 1st Awards

Icons of Comedy Industry Impact (Posthumous Honourees)

This honour recognises icons who leveraged the power of comedy beyond entertainment, using their platforms to shape societal conversations, expand the reach of the industry, and create enduring structural and cultural impact within Nigeria’s creative landscape.

John Chukwu

A pioneering performer whose work helped normalise stand-up comedy as a viable form of mainstream entertainment in Nigeria.

Gbenga Adeboye

A foundational voice in Nigerian radio comedy, remembered for shaping early comedic storytelling and character-driven humour.

Mohammed Danjuma

A respected cultural contributor whose work supported the early spread of comedy through broadcast and live performance platforms.

Boma Orokisima

An influential performer whose career helped establish comedy as a respected creative profession in its formative years.

Individual Icons (Honourees)

Okey Bakassi

A defining figure in Nigerian stand-up comedy, known for using satire to address social, political, and cultural issues.

Julius Agwu

A versatile entertainer who bridged comedy, music, and stage production, expanding comedy’s reach to diverse audiences.

Basorge Tariah

A pioneer of live comedy performance whose work helped transition comedy from variety shows into dedicated stand-up formats.

Alarm Blow

An early influencer whose performances helped shape audience engagement with live Nigerian comedy.

Yibo Koko

A respected performer whose career contributed to the evolution of observational and situational humour in Nigeria.

Mandy Umeadi Uzonitsha

*Mandy Uzonitsha* One of the early voices that strengthened the visibility and acceptance of comedy as a professional craft.

Next Generation Icons Award

This category celebrates contemporary torchbearers, individuals actively redefining comedy today, carrying forward the legacy of past icons, and ensuring the industry continues to grow, evolve, and inspire new generations.

Kenny Blaq

Blended music and comedy into a unique performance style that expanded modern audience appeal.

Chuks D General

Known for sharp observational humour that resonates strongly with everyday Nigerian experiences.

Real Warri Pikin

Redefined digital-first comedy, using storytelling to address social issues and inspire resilience.

Basketmouth

Expanded comedy into global touring, international collaborations, and cross-media storytelling.

AY

Built large-scale comedy productions that merged entertainment, business, and mass appeal.

Bovi

Elevated narrative-driven stand-up and comedy specials to global standards.

Gbenga Adeyinka

Sustained regional comedy platforms while mentoring emerging talents across generations.

Pillar Awards for Individuals

This category celebrates individuals who paved the way, broke barriers, and created platforms that enabled countless talents to emerge and thrive within the comedy ecosystem.

Olusegun Obasanjo (Presidential Endorsement)

Provided early institutional validation that elevated comedy’s legitimacy within Nigeria’s cultural and political space.

Opa Williams (Nite of a Thousand Laughs)

Created Nigeria’s most enduring stand-up comedy platform, launching and sustaining generations of comedians.

Charlie Boy (Charlie Boy Show)

Used alternative media and counter-culture platforms to amplify unconventional comedic voices.

Bunmi Davies (Stand Up Nigeria)

Developed televised comedy formats that broadened access and introduced structured comedy programming.

Edi Lawani (Management)

Strengthened the business and management framework behind comedy, supporting sustainability and growth.

Bisi Olatilo (Radio and Print Media)

Bisi Olatilo A respected media professional whose television platforms amplified comedic talent, preserved performance history, and helped legitimise comedy as a vital part of Nigeria’s cultural and entertainment ecosystem.

January 1st Awards & Winners