Alibaba Criticises Nigerian Comedians for Lack of Decorum at Corporate Events
Veteran Nigerian comedian, Alibaba, has raised concerns over the conduct of some of his colleagues in the industry, particularly at formal and corporate gatherings.
Speaking during a recent episode of the Outside The Box podcast, the respected entertainer criticised the lack of professionalism among certain comedians, accusing them of crossing boundaries and making inappropriate jokes that could offend audiences.
“There are about three Nigerian comedians I just can’t stand,” Alibaba said. “They have no decorum. They cross the line and insult sensibilities. When you try to correct them, they act like you’re envious of their progress.”
He recounted a specific incident in which he recommended a comedian for a corporate event, only to receive backlash from the event organisers. According to Alibaba, the comedian had made an offensive joke about the chairman’s plus-size wife.
“He said something like, ‘If a race starts now and everyone has to carry their wives, you can’t carry this woman and run.’ That was below the belt,” Alibaba recounted. “When I called him out, he dismissed it and told others I was just upset because he was doing well.”
While the comedian chose not to name the individuals involved, he stressed the importance of emotional intelligence and tact in comedy—especially in professional settings.
“There’s a line you don’t cross. We’re not just here to make people laugh, we must also respect our audience. There’s a way to be funny without being offensive,” he said.
Alibaba urged younger comedians to shift away from cheap shots and focus on crafting intelligent, thoughtful material, particularly when performing at events where reputations and relationships are on the line.
