Basketmouth has strategized a comprehensive five-year plan that involves diversifying into various realms of the entertainment industry, particularly filmmaking and music. The renowned Nigerian comedy icon, at 45 years old, revealed during an interview with Arise TV on November 25, 2023, that he intends to host a series of annual comedy shows for the next five years before contemplating a departure. Basketmouth, known for his success in the sitcom “My Flatmates,” expressed his desire to explore every facet of entertainment, aspiring to establish his own empire.
Having transitioned from music to comedy in the 1990s, Basketmouth, who produces and stars in “My Flatmates,” emphasized his belief in eventually returning to music. He cited the lack of a structured platform for comedians in Nigeria and outlined his concerns about the industry’s challenges. The comedian argued that unlike music and films, which benefit from global exposure through streaming platforms, the same privilege has not been extended to comedy.
Basketmouth lamented the decline of stand-up comedy, attributing it to the absence of adequate structures for comedians to refine their craft. He noted the impact of social media, where skit makers are often confused with stand-up comedians. To address this, Basketmouth plans to tackle the problem before exiting the industry by collaborating with streaming platforms for a project named “One Night Stand,” aimed at providing exposure to emerging comedians globally.
While Basketmouth envisions a hiatus from comedy to focus on diverse entertainment ventures, he left the door open for a potential return in 10 or 15 years. As he works on addressing the challenges faced by comedians, the comedy maestro remains committed to writing materials and leaving a lasting impact on the industry. Alongside “My Flatmates,” Basketmouth is recognized for creating the web series “Papa Benji” and producing three acclaimed music albums: “Yabasi,” “Horoscopes,” and “Uburu.”