Olalekan Olaleye, popularly known as Agba Inaki and Lekan KingKong, is one man who cracks the ribs of many on social media. The South Africa-based social media content creator, who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram, tells TOFARATI IGE about his career
How did comedy and skit making start for you?
I would say it was coincidental, because before I started, my friend (Tayo Faniran) had participated in Big Brother Africa. We started a record label together and any time we were putting out a song, I would use Yoruba language to do the little promotion I could in my own way. People started liking it, and I delved into it fully around 2017/2018.
How long did it take you before you got your big break and which skit launched you into the limelight?
I was lucky that one of the first 15 skits brought me to the limelight. There was a time in my life that many things were not going well, and I was really down (depressed). Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I used to attend church a lot. One day, while on my way to church, I felt a certain way, and I told a friend to record me. I said some things, and posted it on my social media page. Before I got back from church, the video had already gone viral. Many actors liked the post and re-shared it. That was the beginning for me.
Is there any particular skit you recorded that made you realise you needed to take this more seriously?
That would be the one I did for Super Eagles (Nigeria’s national football team). It was during a World Cup, and Nigeria was going to play Argentina so, I acted as a herbalist and ‘consulted’ the gods. I mentioned some things the gods demanded for them to be appeased. It was funny and it went viral. That made me know I could do this.
When you started social media comedy, it was not as lucrative as it is these days when skit makers are buying luxurious cars, houses and other property. What was the reaction of your loved ones when you told them you wanted to be a content creator?
I did not seek anybody’s consent. I was involved in business before I started social media content creation. I am an entrepreneur and I have owned a farm in Nigeria for over 10 years. It is currently managed by two of my family members. My brother and I also own a filling station.
I graduated in 2012 from Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State, with a first class degree in Business Administration, and I have always had a lot of things going on for me before skit making.
However, there are a lot of opportunities in social media content creation. A lot of people and businesses need social media to get their businesses out there. Through influencers, a lot of businesses have succeeded. Influencers get paid a lot. As of the time I started, content creation had started yielding dividends. It is a very lucrative business.
You mentioned that you graduated with a first-class degree. What kind of student were you?
I was a very dedicated student. I used to be a student of the University of Ilorin until I got expelled in 2007. I then enrolled at Ajayi Crowther University in 2008, and completed my studies in 2012. When I got to Ajayi Crowther, I chose Business Administration, and gave it my all. I was a very focused student. I never missed classes. However, I was a very serious unserious student because I ‘enjoyed’ life as well.
Many first-class graduates often end up in the academia. Did you at any point consider being a lecturer?
No. I have always wanted to be a billionaire, and I knew that being a lecturer won’t get me there. I have maximum respect for people that impart knowledge to several generations, but not everyone can become lecturers. I was offered employment when I was leaving school, but I never wanted to be a lecturer. I have always loved business and entertainment.
Why were you expelled from UNILORIN?
There was a new vice chancellor who was not even a professor at the time. He introduced different dressing codes and other reforms. He said he did not want social activities in the school, and wanted the institution to be just about academics.
However, I was a socialite, and belonged to a social club. He (VC) wanted to eradicate students’ social lives; but we, club boys, just wanted to have fun.
I would describe it as youthful exuberance. We went ahead to have a party and school authority frowned at it. After that incident, there was a publication saying that we were expelled for being cultists. However, we fought against that, and the statement was eventually retracted, and apologies were made.
Were you able to continue your social life at Ajayi Crowther University, considering that it is a private and conservative school?
No. While there, I was a focused student. I paid more attention to my primary assignment in school, which was my studies.
How did your parents react to your expulsion?
At that time, my dad was late but my mum, who is now of blessed memory, was sad and she cried. She was like a prophetess. She usually dreamt of things before they happened. She had had a dream that something was coming my way, and she was prepared for it. We prayed and she counselled me. She was there for me, and that gave me courage. She practically gave me wings to fly again. She was one of the reasons I went back to start all over again from scratch. My other family members were wonderful as well.
You use some ‘deep’ Yoruba words in your skits, and it is believed that young people who have such rich vocabulary of their native tongues must have been raised by old people. Is that the same in your case?
I am from Ogbomosho, Oyo State, and that is where I spent the first 16 years of my life. I learnt English in school, not at home. Members of my family spoke Yoruba to me, right from when I was a little boy. I also used to visit my grandmother’s shop, and I learnt a lot from there.
Also, whenever my dad and his friends were hanging out, I always listened to them. I am very attentive and inquisitive, and I ask a lot of questions. That helped a lot.
In a recent video, you were trying to teach your child Yoruba. Are you intentionally teaching him the language, and have you been able to achieve that?
He is two years old, and I can count on my fingers how many times I have spoken English to him. The only time I speak English to him is when his mother (a South African) is there and I want her to understand what I am saying. Every other time, I speak Yoruba to him, right from the day he was born. However, it has not been easy. I have to be consistent with it, and the earlier one starts, the better, so I decided to start from when he was born.
The children of many people who live in Nigeria, including the South-West, which are Yoruba states, don’t speak their native language. What advice do you have for such people, especially as regards paying attention to culture and teaching it to the next generation?
One cannot tell a person who has a hunchback to stand up straight. Yoruba language is theirs; we don’t have to start begging them to teach their kids or the next generation the language.
I studied Linguistics at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, and I know the underlying significance of languages. If native English speakers did not preserve their language, we won’t be speaking the language now.
I recently launched an online Yoruba class called, ‘Ede Hub’. My partners and I consider it to be own contributions to the culture. I urge everybody, wherever they are, even if they are not Yoruba, to teach their children their mother tongues.
Have you ever got offers to act in Nollywood movies?
When I visited Nigeria in 2019, I took advantage of every opportunity I had to act. I often get calls from producers telling me to inform them whenever I am in Nigeria, so I can feature in their productions. When next I visit Nigeria, I am sure I be involved in some projects.
Meanwhile, I have an unreleased movie titled, ‘Wa ja’. It is a story that juxtaposes religion, reality and culture.
Do you have plans to relocate to Nigeria anytime soon?
Yes. I am planning to have a base in Lagos soon. The online Yoruba classes I talked about is really huge. We are going to get a big office, and have all our instructors in one place.
You use different characters for your skits. How do you create those characters and bring them to life?
I just create a script for them in my head. Whenever I see a video, I watch it and let it talk to me. While watching, I imagine what they could be saying. I use up to eight different voices.
Some people have likened you to the late ace broadcaster, Gbenga Adeboye, because he also used different voice inflections like that. How do you feel about that?
Whoever likened me to Gbenga Adeboye should not put me in any trouble. Gbenga Adeboye is irreplaceable. That is a legend, who was different. They should not flatter me. They can tell me I remind them of him, but I wouldn’t say I come close to his craftsmanship.
From the moment you get ideas for your videos to doing the voiceovers and final release, what is that process like?
It depends on the length of the video or how intense it is. The only challenge I have is when I have to ‘run’ from my son. I would have to go to a place that is quiet.
Sometimes, it takes four hours; and at other times, it takes 30 minutes, or even three minutes. Sometimes, it could require me leaving it and continuing the next day.
Did you at any point learn how to edit videos?
I learnt on the job.
What is the most ridiculous amount of money you have ever been paid?
I am a very well cultured Yoruba man. I don’t consider any amount to be ridiculous, as long as one is getting paid for one’s service. Inasmuch as one has agreed to a particular amount, it is not ridiculous. I would rather do it for free than label a price as ridiculous.
Do you have plans to collaborate with other skit makers?
My kind of work is unique. I can do everything that I have to do. I don’t need anybody to do the things I do. However, I am open to working with anybody. I always surf social media to see the talents out there that are yet to be discovered. I try to work with such people, to see how best I can be there for them and give them a platform to showcase themselves.
What challenges do you face at this stage of your career?
Everybody faces one challenge or the other. But, I don’t pay attention to challenges; so, I am not always able to pinpoint them. I always focus on my strength and work on my weaknesses.
Is there any type of content you can never make?
I stay away from controversial content. I always avoid anything that is negative and does not align with my brand.
What are some of the funny experiences you have had with fans?
In my early days, when I had not got used to how things worked (in South Africa), I went to get a haircut, and as I was driving back, a car with five guys in it were on my trail. I thought I was going to die that day. When I eventually got to a traffic light and there were police officers across, I stopped. To my surprise, they came out and started shouting, ‘Agba inaki’, we are your great fans. I was so scared, and I thought they wanted to kill me.
How do you like to dress?
I like to appear cool and casual. Although I wear both traditional and corporate clothes, I wear more of corporate attire.
How do you unwind?
I like to play video games. I also party, and take one or two drinks some times.
Do you cook and what kind of Nigerian dish do you like to prepare, considering your wife is a South African?
I am a great cook and I cook anything that can be imagined. However, my favourite is okroPP and eba, or amala with ewedu and gbegiri. I also like pounded yam and efo riro.
