Poverty pushed me into comedy —Baba Aladiye

Odukoya Abiodun, popular as Baba Aladiye, is a skit comedian and a popular figure on social media with followers running into thousands. In this interview by SEGUN KASALI, he discusses his journey to stardom, challenges encountered, among other issues.

What were you doing before venturing into online comedy?

I was a musician but had to put music aside to face comedy. At that point, I had already released about four tracks but there was neither sponsorship nor resources to promote them. So, I had to try my hands at other things. Nonetheless, I am still coming back to music soon.

So, life was tough before now?

Of course, before now, life was hellish. It was not easy at all. I started comedy immediately I got admission to the university. So, combining school and comedy together was really difficult. Even my parents did not want me to venture into comedy. They wished I would devote my attention solely to my studies. But, I have always been strong-willed, determined in everything I do. Even when people said to me that I was wasting my time with comedy, I kept pushing and here I am today.

You have talked about having it tough before comedy. Were things like that since you were young?

Growing up, I stayed with my grandma because my parents separated when I was three months old. I don’t know if I should say I come from a poor family because my grandma was not rich – she sells clothing materials such as lace, ankara, and bedspreads at Bariga market. She is a strong woman and hustler. I helped her to manage her shop whenever she was not around. In fact, I used to hawk nylon, BAGCO bags, and sweet candies. So, I should see myself from a poor family.

So, it is safe to say that your economic condition pushed you into becoming a social influencer?

Yes! Poverty pushed me into comedy. I am into in so that I can get rid of poverty.

How did you come about the name ‘Baba Aladiye’?

The brand, Baba Aladiye, was discovered in February, 2019. It all started like a joke. There was a friend of mine whose mum owned a poultry farm. We always patronized them for eggs. So, every time I wanted to buy eggs, my friend would playfully say there was no egg and I would ask why. He would ask me to motivate the fowls to lay. We would laugh about it and I felt I should put this into acting.  I tried it, uploaded it and it made a lot of sense to people online. That was how I continued the idea and I named myself Baba Aladiye.

Online comedy is the vogue now. Does the proliferation of online comedians not threaten you?

I don’t have problem with any content creator. As we Yoruba say, oju orun t’eye fo lai f’ara  kan‘ra won, which in English means that the sky is spacious for birds to fly without colliding. My battle is against poverty. I am not competing with anyone. Besides, my style of comedy stands out; there is no one who does what I do the way I do it. I am different among all.

What are the challenges that you face in your line of work?

One of the challenges we face is the stress of shooting videos, editing, uploading. After everything, people may not even engage the post. Another stress is getting someone to handle the camera when I want to shoot my skits. Another one is getting a good location which will fit a particular theme. I sometimes have to travel to places which will fit the message.

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