A.Y (Ayodeji Richard Makun)

About A.Y (Ayodeji Richard Makun)

A.Y's comedy skits became a national obsession before most Nigerians knew his real name.

Ayodeji Richard Makun was born on August 19, 1971. He would later become known simply as A.Y, a name that synonymous with Nigerian comedy. Long before the internet made comedians out of everyone with a phone, A.Y was already building an empire.

He started as a radio and television presenter. His natural wit and timing made him a fixture on Nigerian screens. But it was comedy that would define his career and cement his place in the entertainment industry.

A.Y created the A.Y live shows, which became legendary across Nigeria. Audiences packed venues to watch him perform. His A.Y comedy skits followed and found massive audiences both at home and in the diaspora.

His ambition extended beyond the stage. In 2011, he produced and released his debut movie, 30 Days in Atlanta, directed by Robert O. Peters. The film showed that A.Y could translate his comedic genius to the big screen.

His influence grew beyond entertainment. In 2009, A.Y was appointed a U.N Peace Ambassador. The recognition acknowledged his status as more than just a comedian.

He established himself as a businessman as well. A.Y became the CEO of Corporate World Entertainment, Nigeria. The company positioned him as a major stakeholder in the Nigerian entertainment ecosystem.

From radio presenter to film producer to United Nations appointee, A.Y's career mapped the trajectory of modern Nigerian entertainment. He proved that comedy could be a launchpad for something bigger. Three decades after his birth, his name remains shorthand for laughter in Nigeria.