In a recent interview with Arise TV, popular comedian Bright Okpocha, widely known as Basketmouth, expressed deep concern over the apparent decline of stand-up comedy in Nigeria. He emphasized the absence of a solid structure and platform within the industry, distinguishing it from the robust music and movie sectors.
Basketmouth painted a worrisome picture, stating, “My colleagues will agree with me that stand-up comedy in Nigeria is actually dying. The culture of stand-up comedy is bleeding terribly.”
Comparing the industry to music and movies, he highlighted the lack of dedicated platforms, such as streaming services, which have significantly bolstered those sectors globally. He underscored the crucial role of comedy clubs and the absence of a supportive infrastructure for comedians to hone their craft.
He further elucidated, “In the United States, if comedians decide to go on tour, they do comedy clubs across the states and try the materials repeatedly. But here in Nigeria, there’s no comedy club. There’s nowhere for you to practice your materials.”
Describing comedy as an art that requires fine-tuning and feedback, Basketmouth drew attention to the risk and challenges faced by comedians in Nigeria. He highlighted the absence of a framework for new talents to flourish and stressed the burden placed on comedians in promoting their shows and seeking sponsors.
He remarked, “The system is not built to support comedy. A lot of newbies don’t have the platform like we had.”
Basketmouth’s candid assessment starkly portrays the struggles and limitations confronting the stand-up comedy scene in Nigeria, urging a concerted effort to rejuvenate and invigorate this cherished art form.
