Comedy icon Alibaba has raised alarm over declining standards in Nigeria’s comedy scene, calling out unprofessional behavior among some rising stars.
The industry veteran revealed that three top comedians – whose identities he withheld – routinely violate professional boundaries with offensive material that targets individuals.
During an appearance on the Outside The Box podcast, Alibaba shared a shocking incident where a comedian he recommended for a corporate gig humiliated the company chairman’s plus-sized wife with an inappropriate joke.
When confronted about the offensive remark, the younger comedian allegedly dismissed Alibaba’s concerns as jealousy over his rising fame.
He stated, “There’s a toxic trio in Nigerian comedy who constantly disrespect their audiences. No matter how you advise them, they keep pushing boundaries. They’ll perform at formal events and drop vulgar jokes. When called out, they make excuses instead of apologizing.”
“One client complained to me after a comedian joked, ‘In a race where men carry their wives, you’d lose because yours is too heavy.’ That’s not comedy – that’s cruelty. Yet when I addressed it, the comedian claimed I was threatened by his success.”
Alibaba emphasized that true professionals understand comedy boundaries, urging offenders to craft smarter material that doesn’t rely on personal attacks.
While refusing to name names to protect careers, he challenged the comedy community to uphold higher standards of professionalism and respect.
“No decorum. No respect. Just offensive jokes at inappropriate venues…”
Who do you think makes Alibaba’s list of problematic comedians? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ybtHv6pMNe
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) June 14, 2025