Ali Baba (real name: Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere; born on 24 June 1965; Age: 58 years old) is a Nigerian comedian, actor, master of ceremony (MC), businessman, photographer, and motivational speaker. He has an estimated net worth of $5 million and is one of Nigeria’s richest comedians.
Known locally and internationally as the Father of Nigerian comedy, Ali baba has worked to earn success and fame in the entertainment industry. It is safe to say that with over 30 years of experience, the comedian has done well. Although he started off without precedence, he is now known as the veteran who has laid a foundation for the up-and-coming comedy generation.
Ali Baba’s Biography Summary
- Full name: Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere
- Nickname: Ali Baba, King of Comedy
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: 24 June 1965
- Ali Baba’s Age: 58 years old
- Ethnicity: Urhobo
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Married
- Ali Baba’s (Wife): Patricia Leon (Divorced), Mary Akpobome – Udoh Bassey (Married since 2006-present)
- Ali Baba’s Children: Brandi, Tejiri, Ejiro, Valerie, and Xsara
- Ali Baba’s Net worth: $5 million (estimated)
- Famous for: Comedy, Acting, Motivational Speaker, Master of Ceremony, Photography, Painting, TV and Radio Host.
- Education: Ojo Primary School, Lagos. Command Secondary School, Ipaja. Ibru College Agbarha-Otor. Bendel State University, Ekpoma
- Ali Baba’s Instagram: @alibabagcfr
- Twitter: @alibabagcfr
- Facebook: Ali Baba Atunyota Akpobome
Where Is Ali Baba From?
Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome best known as Ali Baba was born on 24 June 1965. He is from Delta State and comes from the Agbarha Otor royal family of Ughelli in Warri. He is the first son of seven children from his parents. Ali Baba’s father was a soldier with the Nigerian army and retired after his service to the country in Lagos.
Academically, Ali Baba obtained his high school leaving certificate from Ibru College Agbarha-Otor in Delta State. Prior to this move, he was schooling under the Command Secondary School Ipaja and Ojo Primary school, Lagos State.
While in secondary school, Ali Baba was an athlete who used to run the 100m and 200m race events before he developed a knee injury. He still, however, runs races at his children’s school with other fathers at school competitions.
Ali Baba, the husband of Mary Akpobome, executive director of Heritage Banking Company, graduated in 1990 after studying Religious Studies and Philosophy at Ambrose Alli University, which was then called Bendel State University, Ekpoma.
How Much is Ali Baba’s Net Worth?
Ali baba’s Net worth is estimated at $5 million, which is equivalent to about ₦2.3 billion. As a standup comedian, he has enjoyed the benefits of a lucrative life and is now among the richest comedians in the industry. The comedian has accumulated much of his wealth from comedy, acting, endorsements, and other business ventures. Some sources now rank Ali Baba as the richest comedian in Nigeria.
A Look at how Alibaba Made his $5 Million Net Worth
He Began his Comedy Career while at the University
Ali Baba did not wait to complete his university education before making a step that would give him a financial footing at the time. Instead, he started working as a comedian at events in school.
At the beginning of his career, he was paid as low as ₦20 before his earnings rose to ₦150, ₦200, and ₦700.
Although his University career may have been a stepping stone for him, with his income growing over time, Ali Baba was still not noticed in the bigger world as an entertainer. In fact, his coming from a royal family meant that his career choice was frowned upon by his family.
His father had his mind set on his first son becoming a lawyer rather than an entertainer. Even though he started pursuing comedy in his third year at the university in 1988, Alibaba built a professional career from it in 1991.
He Variously Worked as a Bus Conductor and Taxi Driver
Before gaining high-end and respectable jobs, the Delta State native made a living out of some menial jobs working as a bus conductor. He often borrowed his father’s Toyota Crown car to work as a taxi driver. He also worked as a loading man for Super Breweries, helping bottles into trucks for a fee.
Ali Baba also earned a living by working odd jobs for the Alex Ibru family. Ibru was best known as a publisher with The Guardian Newspaper before his demise.
The philosophy graduate refused to settle for menial jobs as he carved a map that led to his working with established organizations in the country. Some of these work experiences were as a Columnist with the Daily Times and with ThisDay Newspaper around 2000 and 2001.
Shows and Tours Have Contributed to Ali Baba’s Net Worth
In 1991, the godfather of the Nigerian comedy relocated to Lagos and was receiving ₦1000 for appearing at shows. By 1993, he became such a sensation in the industry in Lagos that he started charging ₦50,000 per show.
As far back as 1994, Ali Baba was one of the few comedians who ever received a pay worth over a million Naira from his tour with Satzenbrau. In that same year, the entertainer announced the establishment of his company called Ali Baba Hiccupuray 3rd.
In 2014, he started his show tagged January 1st Concert. The show enjoyed a large audience which will, in turn, translate to income.
Presently, it is revealed that the 58 years old comedian charges around ₦4 million to ₦4.5 million for most of his shows. He also offers private comedy sessions, which come quite expensive to the elites at their functions.
For a Valentine’s Day gathering, Ali Baba hosted a private show slated for only thirty-six guests in London, and the tickets were sold for 400 pounds which is equivalent to ₦218,210.
For some of the events he has organized outside the country, for instance, his “Ali Baba Live in Houston” show, the tickets were sold between the range of $30, $100 to $1000 for regular, VIP, and VVIP, respectively.
He has also Launched the Spontaneity Comedy Talent Hunt
The comedian also hosts his comedy talent hunt called Spontaneity, which has become a niche for rewarding comedy in Nigeria.
The talent hunt has benefitted young and rising comedians in the country like Wole Areole. On such events, Ali Baba has been able to work with renowned comedians such as AY, and Gbenga Adeyinka, Seyi Law, Bovi, Bajet Mouth, Helen Paul and has even mentored many in the industry.
The show tickets are sold at ₦100,000 and above and are known to garner both local and international audiences with various sponsors.
Ali Baba is also a Respected Actor in Nollywood
In terms of entertainment, Baba has as well proven to be an all-rounder. As such, he explores the Nigerian movie industry, known as Nollywood, where again, he has used his creativity to earn a fortune.
Although Ali Baba has not featured in a lot of movies, he played a role in Mo Abudu’s The Wedding Party – one of the highest-grossing Nollywod films ever. This film featured stars such as Sola Sobowale, Ibrahim Suleiman, Adesua Etomi, Kemi Adetiba, Iretiola Doyle, Eyinna Nwigwe, Richard Mofe Damijo, and a host of others.
Even though it is apparent that the film has added to Ali Baba’s fortune, it is reported that what the movie paid him in a month was only what he charged for hours in his shows.
This leads to the conclusion that his comedy career sells better than acting. Also, it leaves us with an idea of the exact figure he may have received for the role. Well, his payment for the role remains shadowy, but sources have it that actors could be paid as low as ₦50,000 and as high as over a million.
Based on his fame, it is easy to assume that Ali Baba was paid handsomely. Yet, his role in the film was a minor one. Therefore, it is safe to say he may have received only hundreds of thousands of Naira.
List of Ali Baba’s Comedy Shows and Movies
• The Man for the Job (2022)
• Mimi (2021)
• She Is (2019)
• Gold Statue (2019)
• Gone to America (2017)
• Alakada Reloaded (2017)
• 10 Days in Sun City (2017)
• The Wedding Party 1 (2016)
• Head Gone (2014)
• The Last Three Digits (2014)
• I Declare War
• Indictment: Dead Witnesses
• My Guy (1998)
He has also Scored Endorsement Deals with the likes of Samsung
The Endorsement deals Ali Babab has bagged over the years range from working with brands like Samsung. He was said to have signed a major endorsement deal worth around ₦100 million, which was to run for two years with the multinational firm.
Other brands he has been associated with include Remy Martin, a Cognac Fine Champagne brand.
A Look at Ali Baba’s Awards, Nominations, and Recognitions
In over 30 years of his comedy career, Ali Baba has received more than 50 awards and has been honored nationally by the presidency with an Award of Excellence for Social Impact and Entertainment. In 2009, he was inducted into the Johnny Walker Striding Man Society for his achievements. Some of his other industry accolades are:
- He was crowned as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) for his role as a comedian in the creative arena (2021)
- Ali Baba won Outstanding Performance at the Baziks Theater Abuja at the 2001 Laughter Awards
- He won the Laughter Incorporated award for Immense contribution to the comedy Industry in 2001
- He was crowned with Delta State University Achievers Merit Award in 2003
- The comedian won the Icon of Comedy at the 2004 Pendulum Awards, LASU Nationals Association of Physics Students
- In 2004, he has named the Icon of Comedy at the 1st Nigerian Entertainment Awards
- He won the Comedy Enterprise National Comedy Award in 2005
- For his solid support to young entrepreneurs, Ali was awarded the 2006 Eric’s Entertainment Inc Awards
- He was given the Award of Excellence by the Lagos State University in 2006
- Alibaba received an accolade from City People Entertainment for Invaluable Contribution to the Entertainment Industry in 2006
- In 2007, he was given an RCCG Enablers Merit Award
- The Philosophy graduate received The News Award For turning standup comedy into a viable business (2008)
- He received a Diamond Award for Comedy for helping the growth and development of the Comedy Industry in Nigeria in 2008
- Ali Baba was awarded the 2009 City People Entertainment Award for Invaluable Contribution to the Entertainment Industry
- National Daily Award rewarded him with the title of Comedian of the decade in 2009
- In 2010, he received Comedy for Change Award in commemoration of his 20 years on stage
Other Special Achievements of the Comedian
- Ali Baba is a Special Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps of Nigeria.
- He is the first Nigerian Comedian to ring the year-end closing bell of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2012
- Ali Baba was the first comedian to run a stand-up comedy performance for six hours.
- First Nigerian Comedian to grace international media outlets such as Aljazeera, BBC, and CNN.
- He also made a name by performing on a commercial flight filled with hundreds of people
- Ali baba also owns a TV Station called XQZMOI which was licensed in 2020. In the same year, however, he almost lost his life during the covid-19 pandemic virus.
Ali Baba Owns a Fleet of Luxury Cars
For someone who has achieved as much as Ali Baba has in his lifetime, living luxuriously would be only befitting. Ali Baba makes no secret of his love for cars such that he owns over ten cars.
His cars are also known to carry his personal and customized name tags Ali Baba numbering from 1 to 10 and more. Due to his love for cars, he gets involved in motor races from time to time, including the 2016 Eleko Motor Race, which was held in Lagos.
The banking investor and father of five has several cars, all summing up to about ₦300 million in their worth.
List of Alibaba’s Cars and Their Worth
- 200 Series Toyota Land Cruiser: $95,040
- Land Rover LR3: $10,062
- SUV Hummer 1: $100,231
- Sport Utility Vans (3): Range between ₦10-45 million
- Mercedes Benz E class: ₦18,500,000
- Mercedes Benz S 500: $114,500
- Luxurious Ford Monster Truck: $300,000
He also has Real Estate in Some of the Choicest Parts of Nigeria
The comedian, with a career that has lasted over three decades, has numerous landed properties that his wealth has afforded. It is difficult to have an in-depth knowledge of the homes he has. Yet, it is not farfetched to assume that the entertainer has homes in Lagos and, perhaps, his hometown in Delta State. Moreso, it is not uncommon for rich Nigerian celebrities to have houses in the FCT, Abuja.
According to sources, Alibaba owns a duplex with over ten rooms comprising seven bedrooms, three sitting rooms, a home cinema room, and pool sized Jacuzzi in the master bedroom.
His home is in an urban part of Lekki called Nicon Town in Lagos State. He also owns properties spread out across regions in the country, such as Abuja, Lagos, and Delta. Some of his properties are said to be worth ₦750 million