Layi Wasabi: The Intellectual Comedian Nigeria Didn't Know it Needed

The first time I heard about Layi Wasabi, it was in 2022. A close friend of mine had a crush on him at the time and would not stop talking about him. I was curious. So, I went to his page, watched a few of his skits, and have been a fan ever since.

I'm a simple lady, I see Layi Wasabi's skit and I watch.

For a while, Nigerian skitmakers were more focused on women and relationships in their skits. It was getting old. Then Layi Wasabi came into the picture. At the time I started watching Layi’s skits, he was nowhere close to 100k followers on Instagram. Today he has over two million followers and has even entered into the Nollywood industry. When you're good, you're good!

A brief background on Layi Wasabi

Isaac Olayiwola, popularly known as Layi Wasabi was born in Osogbo, Osun State. At 26, he has already made a name for himself as one of Nigeria’s most original content creators. He studied law at Bowen University and later completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ibadan. His rise in the entertainment industry has been nothing short of impressive, winning the Best Content Creator at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).

Layi’s journey into content creation started at a young age. He began making content when he was just nine years old, and over the years, he has remained true to his craft. His unique style of comedy is rooted in his law background and real-life experiences. While serving at the Ministry of Justice in Ibadan, he observed lawyers with distinct traits, and these observations, along with his court internship experiences in Osogbo, inspired his now-famous lawyer character. 

An Intellectual Skitmaker

One of the things I admire most about Layi Wasabi is how he never relies on the overused tropes of Nigerian skitmaking. Many skitmakers today think they need to sexualize women or rely on relationship dramas to be funny. Layi does neither. He has built a strong following without showcasing women with exaggerated body features or constantly recycling relationship skits. Consistency!

When I started following him on Tiktok and Instagram, he was still in University studying law. His contents were mostly about university, lecturers and the like. Then he moved fully to “The Law.” His ability to merge everyday Nigerian struggles with subtle storytelling makes his content stand out, whether he is portraying an overzealous advocate of the fictitious GNCC or a Nigerian lawyer using legal jargon. His skits are straight to the point, funny and relatable.

And speaking of words, Layi Wasabi is good with words. His clever wordplay has made him a meme king, with many of his phrases going viral. He has an incredible way of blending Yoruba and English in a way that makes the punchlines hit even harder. 

The Power of Minimalism

Another unique thing about Layi Wasabi is his use of minimalism in his skits. Unlike many content creators who focus on extravagant sets and flashy visuals, his videos are often shot in simple settings, with little more than a comically oversized suit. He also doesn’t rely on elaborate props or multiple actors. In fact, you do not see the people he interacts with, instead, you only hear their voices.

This simplicity is part of what makes his comedy even more effective. It forces viewers to focus on his expressions, body language, and, most importantly, his words.

It’s been about three years since I started following Layi Wasabi, and if there is one thing I can say about him, it is that he has remained consistent. Many content creators start strong but struggle to maintain their creativity as they gain more followers. Not Layi. Despite his rise in fame, he has stayed true to his style and continues to deliver quality content. Quality!

He has also made a smooth transition from skitmaking to Nollywood. So far, he has featured in popular Nollywood movies such as Everybody Loves Jenifa, Aníkúlápó and Adire. I genuinely look forward to seeing him on bigger stages. 

Conclusion

Layi Wasabi is more than just a comedian, he is an intelligent storyteller who has found a way to make legal satire both hilarious and engaging. His success is proof that originality still thrives in Nigerian entertainment.

In an industry where many are chasing trends, he stands out by simply being himself

Layi Wasabi I stan!