A
abujagirl
Guest
Wale Gates, a UK-based Nigerian comedian, said he cannot do comedy in Nigeria because of the conduct of his colleagues.
In a Chat with Funmi Iyanda, the MC described Nigerian comedy as “standing in front of powerful people to make fun of poor people”.
“That’s the dynamics of it. I hate that. Honestly, I want to look at powerful people and say [my mind]. I don’t like when comedians have to be stupid to make rich people laugh. I hate that thing. No, I don’t want to do that. In the Nigerian system, they do that.
“I want to be able to say what I want. Someone like Ali Baba, it’s taken him years to be able to do that. I don’t want to wait that long. I want to be able to speak to power now.
“Would I be able to do it in Nigeria? No. If I see something, I have to say it. The reason why Nigerian comedians can’t afford to be arrogant is that they need to conform so that money will come in,” he said.
Watch full interview:
In a Chat with Funmi Iyanda, the MC described Nigerian comedy as “standing in front of powerful people to make fun of poor people”.
“That’s the dynamics of it. I hate that. Honestly, I want to look at powerful people and say [my mind]. I don’t like when comedians have to be stupid to make rich people laugh. I hate that thing. No, I don’t want to do that. In the Nigerian system, they do that.
“I want to be able to say what I want. Someone like Ali Baba, it’s taken him years to be able to do that. I don’t want to wait that long. I want to be able to speak to power now.
“Would I be able to do it in Nigeria? No. If I see something, I have to say it. The reason why Nigerian comedians can’t afford to be arrogant is that they need to conform so that money will come in,” he said.
Watch full interview: