Nigerian comedian Emmanuel Ejekwu, popularly known as Sabinus, has opened up about the challenging early days of his career and how his father strongly disapproved of his decision to pursue comedy.
Speaking in a recent interview, the award-winning skit maker revealed that his father had always wanted him to become a lawyer. He tried to fulfil that dream but repeatedly struggled to gain admission to study law, eventually settling for Linguistics and Communication Studies at the University of Port Harcourt (Uniport).
It was at Uniport, he said, that comedy found him.
According to Sabinus, skit-making began as a passion project on campus long before it brought any financial reward.
“Money wasn’t coming,” he admitted, recalling how he balanced schoolwork with shooting comedy videos in hopes of making a breakthrough.
After graduation, he hid his comedy journey from his father for a full year, fearing disapproval. But the truth emerged when his father began seeing his face on comedy posters and confirmed it through Sabinus’ sisters.
The reaction, he said, was explosive.
“He was very furious. ‘Which comedy? Stupid business. Look at the boy I sent to become a lawyer,’” Sabinus recounted.
Despite the tension, he continued to pursue entertainment, eventually rising to become one of Nigeria’s most influential online comedians. His story now stands as a testament to persistence and the courage to chase an unconventional dream.
