Few names command as much respect in African comedy and film as Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY. The award-winning comedian, actor, and producer has built one of the most powerful entertainment brands on the continent, but his story, as he tells it, began with humility, hustle, and heart.
Long before the packed arenas, blockbuster films, and global recognition, AY was simply a personal assistant to the legendary Alibaba, the man often credited as Nigeria’s “King of Comedy.” That role, AY recalls, became his first classroom. “Going for one task to another as that very humble assistant helped me gain a road into the business of standup comedy,” he says.
While comedy became his foundation, AY’s creative energy was too large for one lane. A theatre arts graduate who majored in directing, he soon ventured into filmmaking, producing crowd favourites that continue to dominate Nollywood and streaming platforms alike.
In a chat with Julie on Cosoro Radio, he noted that success has never been about personal gain alone for him. “Success is relative,” he explains. “For some people, it’s money. For me, it’s seeing new talents gain inroads into the space.” Beyond the laughter, AY has built a legacy of mentorship, expanding opportunities for the next generation of comedians and creators.
Speaking on his creative process in an ever-evolving industry, AY shared a raw and honest truth. “Hunger is enough inspiration to wake you up and make you creative,” he said, emphasizing that growth comes with greater responsibility. For him, complacency is the ultimate setback. Beyond hunger and drive, AY believes that continuous research and self-improvement are key to staying relevant, a philosophy that has kept him at the top of his game for nearly two decades.
Despite the fame, AY remains grounded in gratitude. “I’ve enjoyed grace that has taken me away from any form of disgrace,” he reflects. From earning a Guinness World Record for his hit film ’30 Days in Atlanta’ to being honoured with the MFR national title, AY’s journey has been a series of unexpected milestones. “Where I find myself today is not because I tell the best jokes or I’m the most talented,” he admits. “It’s all grace.”
After nearly two decades in the spotlight, AY has learned that public opinion is part of the process. “Feelings are strictly personal,” he says. “What A might like is different from what B or C might like. I just put my best foot forward and let grace do the rest.”
He adds that humility is one of the most vital traits any entertainer can possess. “Humility needs to be part of what forms your character. When you make it part of your career growth, even when you’re not there, people talk about you positively in rooms.”
AY Live Returns to the UK
Now, AY is taking that same energy across the UK as the iconic AY Live Tour returns this November, marking over 13 consecutive years of sold-out UK shows. “We’re happy to come back again this year,” he says. “It’s a tour of nine cities, and Manchester is one of them.
The tour kicks off on October 24 in Peterborough, making stops in Nottingham, Milton Keynes, Sunderland, London, Manchester (November 2), Catherine, Leeds, and Leicester. AY will be joined by fellow comedy heavyweights I Go Die and Gordons, promising a night “loaded with jokes and unforgettable energy.”
Even after the tour, AY isn’t slowing down. His film The Waiter recently hit Netflix’s Top 10, and he’s already gearing up for his next major production in 2025.
