Keypoints:
- Nollywood actors boost skit industry growth
- Skits now worth ₦50bn ($31m)
- Phone screens outpace cinema in reach
NIGERIAN comedian Broda Shaggi has built one of the most star-studded skit catalogues in the country. In just three years, he has featured over 30 Nollywood actors in his short-form comedy, from veterans such as Kanayo O. Kanayo, Shaffy Bello, and Kate Henshaw to rising favourites Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, and Tobi Bakare.
He is not alone. A new generation of Nigerian skit makers — including Mr Macaroni, Sabinus, Shanks Comics, and Layi Wasabi — are increasingly teaming up with Nollywood stars. Their formula blends the glamour of established actors with the everyday humour of bite-sized comedy.
A booming digital economy
Nollywood is the world’s second-largest film industry by volume, yet its revenues remain modest. The sector is valued at about ₦56.4bn ($35 million), contributing only 1–2 percent to Nigeria’s GDP, often grouped with music and other entertainment.
By contrast, the skit industry has surged to become the third-largest entertainment segment in the country. Valued at about ₦50bn ($31m), it employs millions and generates fresh revenue streams across platforms.
The roots of this boom go back a decade. Mark Angel’s YouTube comedy series in 2015 was the first African channel to hit one million subscribers. The Covid-19 pandemic, cheaper data, widespread smartphones, and easy-to-use editing apps such as CapCut further lowered the barrier to entry, putting professional-looking skits in the hands of anyone with a phone.
A new stage for old guard
For Nollywood veterans, the move to skits offers a second act. As Broda Shaggi told Techpoint Africa, ‘People rented CDs to watch movies in the past, but now it’s all digital. People spend more time on their phones than TV. And a lot of these people already love Nollywood actors, so seeing them on their phones makes it easy to connect.’
This shift highlights how digital comedy is eclipsing traditional cinema in reach, influence, and commercial potential.
The future of Nigerian screens
The partnership between Nollywood and skit makers signals a new era for Nigerian entertainment. Established actors bring credibility, while digital creators supply agility and scale. Together, they are rewriting how audiences consume stories — with phones now outpacing cinema halls as the ultimate stage.
