Veteran Nigerian comedian Ali Baba has opened up about how an unexpected incident during his university days led him to discover his passion for comedy.
In a recent interview with Channels TV, the entertainment icon—who recently celebrated his 60th birthday—recounted the pivotal moment that set him on the path to becoming one of Nigeria’s most celebrated comedians.
According to him, what was supposed to be an ordinary night of entertainment at his university in Ekpoma turned into a defining experience after a strip tease performance went awry.
“On that very day, they had brought a strip tease. Bear in mind that between 1986 and 1988, there was a new lease of life of Congo music in Nigeria, people embraced it and so they brought all their dancers as well. One of those strip tease ladies came to our school in Ekpoma, in fact the hall was full,” he said.
“When it was time for her to then undress totally, she ran off the stage because some local people like us had not seen anyone like that in nude form and so some of them ran on the stage.
“The girl became afraid and ran off and they said they needed someone to come just pacify the people to calm down so that the show can continue.
“Percy Okoje just came to me said ‘Ali please can you help us just pacify the audience and let them get back?’. So that was how I started mcing and cracking jokes, to pacify the people I had to start doing jokes, yabbing everyone but you see that day was a turning point.
“That was a turning point because as soon as I got on stage, I was home. I felt at home, I knew this was what I wanted to do.”
Ali Baba’s recollection highlights how a spontaneous moment led to the birth of a career that has since shaped the Nigerian comedy industry.
