THE PLACE OF SKIT MAKERS IN THE NEW NOLLYWOOD

By Victory Aduragbemi

Skit makers have subtly found their ways into Nollywood, everyone would agree with this because, there’s been a shift recently and this has only happened as a result of skit making. Skits makers have intelligently built themselves in an irresistible way that, fans are not willing to let go anytime soon. Most of these skit makers already found stardom on their social media handles such as, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TickTok, Twitter before walking to take up roles in Nollywood.

Nollywood was known to be strict with rules guiding it at inception in the days of Moses Olaiya, Hubert Ogunde in the 1970s which made it quite difficult for ‘up and comings’ to penetrate but, today, talented short clips makers also known as “Skit makers” can walk gallantly in and out of Nollywood.

Innovations and advancements in technology have helped the likes of, Ayo Ajewole as Woli Agba, Maryam Apaokagi as Taaoma, Debo Adedayo as Mr Macaroni, Oluwatoyin Bayegun as Woli Arole, Oluwabukunmi Adeaga-Ilori as KieKie, Adeyela Adebola as LizzyJay/Omo Ibadan and many others. These folks with lots of talents probably couldn’t think of associating themselves with Nollywood in early days which made them resolve to using their electronic gadgets to put up stuffs that would entertain and as well inform their prospective audience, which has eventually led them all to stardom and gotten them a position in Nollywood.

These skit makers consistently feed their audience with beautiful contents that can’t be overlooked as some of them do this in the space of  three to seven days. Each has carved a niche for himself/herself and has stuck to it. Interestingly, they continue the story lines in subsequent skits just like in movies to retain suspense and to drive more visibility and gain large followership on their social media handles.

Woli Agba is known for his clerical roles in his skits that seem to portray religiousity. Taaoma is made up of/for different characters in her skits as she barely used any other fellow. Mr Macaroni is known for his lustful lifestyle in skits, Woli Arole gives the prophet’s vibe in his skits on any one he features in, KieKie is a versatile human as she  takes on different roles in skits and fits in perfectly, roles majorly portray a smart lady with an untamed tongue and, Lizy Omo Ibadan gives it always in the Ibadan accent.

Gradually, these skit makers are taking over the movie industry and shoving the long time movie makers aside on stage as they take on major roles in movies now.