Alibaba has his birth name as Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome. He is a veteran Nigerian stand-up comedian, master of ceremonies and television personality.
He was born on June 24, 1965 in Warri, Delta state. He hails from the Royal family of Agbarha Otor in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. He is the eldest in a family comprising of many sisters.
Educational Background
Alibaba had his primary school education at Ojo Primary School and Command Secondary School, both in Lagos state for his first and secondary school certificates respectively.
He later bagged a degree in Religious Philosophy at the then Edo State University, now Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma in 1990.
Upon graduation, he relocated to Lagos where he made a tremendous break in comedy.
His Career
Alibaba began his comedy skits since his University days in Ekpoma.
He started professionally performing at corporate and private events, appearing on television and radio shows.
In 1991, Alibaba was said to have worked briefly with Dapo Adelegan of DP Lekki Ltd as an executive assistant before making a full career in comedy.
The highly creative and talented Nigerian comedian has become a prominent superstar and the one of the most preferred master of ceremonies in numerous events and comedy shows in Nigeria.
In 1993, Alibaba set up his company, ‘Alibaba Hicuppuray 3rd’, a business platform created to help nurture young up-coming talents in comedy profession. As Alibaba puts it, “being funny is a serious business”.
The Delta born superstar has made tremendous contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry in the areas of supporting, mentoring and grooming several up-coming young Nigerian talents in comedy.
Awards and Nominations
Alibaba has so far received several awards both nationally and internationally notably as:
• Best Outstanding Performance at the Laughter Awards in Baziks Theatre in Abuja.
• Award winner in comedy industry in Nigeria at the Laughter Incorporated Awards.
• Achievers Merit Award at the Delta State University, Abraka.
• Icon of comedy Award at the Pendulum Awards in Lagos State University hosted by the National Association of Physics Students.
• National Comedy Awards, City People Entertainment Awards, National Daily Awards, Comedy for Change Awards among other numerous accolades.
In 2009, Alibaba was inducted into Jonnie Walker Striding Man Society, a rare achievement for those who have excelled in their chosen career and taken it upon themselves to motivate and influence others.
In 2015, Alibaba was guest at the CNN African Voices, where he bared his mind on comedy business in Nigeria, its goal and development.
He was also the first Nigerian Comedian to ring End of Year Closing bell at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Alibaba emerged the winner of the Paul Harris Fellowship of Rotary International for his immeasurable contributions to the growth and development of comedy in Nigeria.
Aside comedy, the versatile and exceptionally talented star is a successful actor with good interpretation of movie roles. He has so far in the movie industry acted a number of movies including:
• The Wedding Party
• Head Gone
• The Last 3 Digits
• My Guy and many others.
His Personal Life
Alibaba has been happily married to the love his life, Mary Bassey Udoh Akpobome and the marriage is blessed with five children.
In one of the interviews granted AIT, Alibaba said people often say that he is gradually leaving the comedy industry. In his words, he has not left nor planned to leave but that he is operating on a higher level with top class business moguls like Aliko Dangote, Otedola, Adenuga and others where he could feature for like one hour and has a handsome fees.
His Net Worth
Alibaba has made a big name in the Nigerian comedy, largely described as the father of comedy in Nigeria, rated one of the richest and most influential with a net worth of about $8 million dollars.