Koffi Idowu-Nuel needs no introduction, especially in the Nigerian entertainment industry.  He is a popular Comedian, musician and actor. In this interview with ORUKPE NELSON, he exposed why he is still relevant in the industry.

Your name does not sound Nigerian. Where are you from and how long have you been in the entertainment industry?

I was born to a Togolese mum and a Nigerian father from IbejiLekki, Lagos. Koffi is my real name and not a stage craft name. I am first of four children. I studied chemistry at the University of Lagos. I’ve been married for five years now with two kids. I’ve been in the industry close to 16 years but started doing it professionally and financially for 14 years.

What have you been up to lately and what should we expect from Koffi in this New Year?

 My show ‘Out of Control’ was just concluded last year and we are on to the next thing. We are shooting musical videos. In this New Year, you shall see our sitcom and funny moments on stage and on radio. The new music string I’m bringing out is called ‘AiyndeOkin’, which is my music alter ego. It is just the rejuvenated music side of me. You will get to hear a lot of beautiful new music and video as well. I will be taking the music side of me more serious now. It’s been ten years since my first ever hit song ‘Aroma’. Ten years later, I’m re-branding that music style and bringing it forcefully for the young people to rock with it and the also build on my fan base for those who understand my music to still maintain it. My music is always conscious and very sensible but this time around, we are going to bring some dance strings to it so that the young generation can dance but the content will still there.

What made you go into comedy?

I didn’t go into comedy exactly. I was studying chemistry and along the line I took time in theatre. I was part of a theatre club where we went to develop our skills. I was a stage actor then but from there, the comedy trade blossomed and since I was always a Master of Ceremony at events, everything just fused together.  By the time I was done with school, I didn’t have to go and look for a job; I already had an industry waiting for me.

Are we going to see less of your comedy this time around?

No, you cannot see less of me in any way. I’ve always done music before and it does not affect my comedy. That is who I am; I am all round in the entertainment industry. Nothing disturbs the other. Some people cannot cope with it but that is who I am.

How would you rate the comedy industry in Nigeria today?

Nigeria comedy industry is still a baby. We are yet to delve into the depth of different genres of comedy. We are not totally buying into sitcoms, stage drama, and other forms like satirical comedy. Mr. Bean is a brand of humour that the lead actor Rowan Atkinson does as a non-speaking character; there is yet no Nigerian that makes money from such comedy. We are still at the stage of ‘talk make we laugh’.  We’ll have to get to that point where people will recognize that comedians can actually have their own movies. We are not there yet but I believe we are getting there.

Do you see the younger comedians coming into the industry as threat?

A lot of the young crops of comedians are coming in but I don’t see them as a threat because everybody is hustling. I know my hustle. So I work on my hustle, the other person is hustling too. In Comedy basically, we don’t see ourselves as competition. We actually even work together and build ourselves up together. People know my standard and my style and they know my pedigree. They love the brand and I keep doing what they want and I’m not deviating from my plan of being a content based entertainer and this keeps me in the business.

You are into three types of entertainment-music, movies and comedy. Wouldn’t that brand you as jack-of-all-trades?

Initially when I started out officially, people knew me to be a comedian and then I also like to sing. Music helps me to get to places I cannot go as a comedian. Music pushes my brand. I don’t do music to compete with P square; it is as a subtle way of advertising my brand. I cannot be on stage and say everything I want to say, but I can put my ideals in music. My ability to write helps me to put content to my other works.

Has the money be rolling in?

I don’t talk about the money I make to the media. I only talk about my work. Money is not my main focus. There are times that we are broke. We are normal human beings too. It’s just a job. Some people just go and show-off that I just bought a car on Instagram. These are normal things that should not be hyped on.

So you don’t believe in this new trend where artists go on social media to show-off their possessions?

I have a new car but you will never see me post that online. It is very wrong. It doesn’t make any sense to me. These are material things meant for our comfort and taking you to the next level. Telling the world that is your fulfillment is trying to bring down the glory of God. Being fulfilled in life is not from material things. So for me, I don’t celebrate material things on social media.

What inspires your music and comedy?

God inspires me, my environment and things that I see on daily basis, things I read and my observations inspire me a lot, but God is the ultimate inspirer.

What is your passion?

My passion is to be able to impact on another person. To do things to that will benefit humanity. I also like to read and write. Music for me is to fulfill another passion of mine.

You have a new haircut style. Is that your new signature?

This is the style my wife likes to see. The style is called Agama; a kind of hair arrow draw.

You use to wear glasses a lot. In fact they were your signature fashion item, what happened to them?

I stopped wearing glasses over a year ago now. It was a Koffi brand but I don’t use that brand anymore. I needed attention with that look at that time and I got it. Now we can move on.

Who are your favourite designers?

I have lots designers who make clothes for me but Mudi is the only designer I wear most of his clothes. I am not really into fashion craze. As long as it looks good on me, I wear it. I am not a label person. I go into a shop, see something that I like and I buy it.

What is your favourite wardrobe colour?

I love lots of blues and black clothes.

How do you handle your busy schedule and your family life?

I am a family man. I am always home after work. My family sees more than I am out on the field.