Renowned Nigerian comedian Oluwaseyitan Aletile, popularly known as Seyi Law, has made it clear that he doesn’t view comedy icons like Basketmouth, AY, Alibaba, or Julius Agwu as competitors.
During a recent episode of Hip TV’s “Trending,” Seyi Law emphasized that these comedy legends are not only his senior colleagues but also mentors who have significantly contributed to his rise in the industry.
Seyi Law expressed deep respect for his predecessors, noting that as a Yoruba man, it’s against his principles to compete with those who have helped him grow in his career.
“I have played with everybody and I still respect everybody. We respect the likes of Alibaba. At some point, I had to go on a comedy tour with Julius Agwu, who didn’t discriminate against me. I’ve covered events for Basketmouth; he has paid me for shows. I’ve also worked with AY,” he said.
He went further to state that he doesn’t engage in the competitive ranking often seen in the entertainment industry, as his focus is on growth and ensuring the comedy scene thrives.
“As a Yoruba person, we don’t disrespect anybody who has given us food. So, they are all highly respected. I respect them a lot. And no matter the differences they have, they’re still my senior colleagues in the business. And they have not had reasons to compete with me.”
Seyi Law also addressed the notion of competition within the comedy industry, saying that unity among comedians is more important than rivalry.
“At some point in the comedy industry, there was no rift and there wasn’t any reason to start categorising the comedians,” he said, adding that as long as everyone is doing well, there’s no need to engage in competition.
He concluded, “I don’t want to be one of those people who is dragging ranking with anybody in the industry. As long as we are all doing fine, kudos. The most important thing is that we must not allow the industry to suffer.”
Seyi Law’s remarks highlight his respect for those who came before him and his focus on contributing positively to Nigeria’s comedy landscape.