AY Makun

AY Makun is a Nigerian stand-up comedian, actor and filmmaker-producer known for the AY Live comedy platform and for producing and starring in Nigerian comedy films, including 30 Days in Atlanta.

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About AY Makun

Profile information current to 2026-08-23.

Nigeria · Stand-up comedian, Film producer, Actor · 2 affiliations

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Also known as: AY, A.Y.
Known for: Nigerian live comedy and comedy events; Nigerian comedy filmmaking; AY Live and AY Open Mic
Country: Nigeria

Stand-up comedian
Film producer
Actor
Filmmaker

At a glance

Makun is the founder and host associated with AY Live, a platform central to his work in Nigerian live comedy.
He graduated from Delta State University, Abraka, with a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts in 2003.
Makun produced and starred in the 2014 comedy 30 Days in Atlanta, which later reporting described as his debut film-production project and the highest-grossing Nigerian film of that year.
He received producer and writer credits for the 2018 film Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons.

Background and education

The Guardian reported that Makun was born on 19 August 1971, is from Ifon in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, and grew up in Warri, Delta State. He graduated from Delta State University, Abraka, with a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts in 2003.

Development of his comedy career

Makun has said that his early entertainment work at Delta State University included organizing campus events. He later gained exposure through comedian Alibaba and performances connected with Night of a Thousand Laughs. His subsequent work has been closely associated with AY Live and AY Open Mic, although the precise launch date reported for the monthly Open Mic Night comes from a self-published AY Live biography.

Film production and screen work

Makun produced and starred in 30 Days in Atlanta, released in 2014. A 2024 Guardian report described it as his debut film-production project, said it grossed more than ₦160 million and identified it as the highest-grossing Nigerian film of 2014. He is also credited as a producer and writer on the 2018 comedy Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons.

Industry role and recognition

UNESCO's 2021 report on the African film industry identified Makun as a stand-up comedian and filmmaker and cited AY Live and the first two Merry Men films as productions that had received brand partnerships. In March 2026, SilverbirdTV reported that he received a Trailblazer Award at the Silverbird Man of the Year awards.

Affiliations

AY Live Founder and host present
Corporate World Entertainment Chief executive officer

Timeline

2003 Graduated from Delta State University, Abraka, with a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts.
2006-09-09 A self-published AY Live biography says Makun introduced and began hosting a monthly Open Mic Night comedy club at The Vault.
2014 Produced and starred in 30 Days in Atlanta, identified by later reporting as his debut film-production project.
2018 Received producer and writer credits for Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons.
2026-03-03 Received a Trailblazer Award at the Silverbird Man of the Year awards, according to SilverbirdTV.

Additional verified details

Current context

In a March 2026 interview, Makun said he was developing new film and digital projects, expanding AY Live internationally, and expanding AY's Open Mic Comedy Challenge platforms. This was a self-reported, forward-looking statement. Delivery of the projects and their status as of the profile date were not independently verified in the reviewed sources.

Biographical facts

The Guardian reported that Makun was born on 19 August 1971, is from Ifon in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, and grew up in Warri, Delta State.
He graduated from Delta State University, Abraka, with a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts in 2003.
Makun has said that his early entertainment work at Delta State University included organizing campus events; he later gained exposure through comedian Alibaba and performances connected with Night of a Thousand Laughs.
Makun produced and starred in the 2014 comedy film 30 Days in Atlanta.
A 2024 Guardian report described 30 Days in Atlanta as Makun's debut film-production project, reported that it grossed more than ₦160 million, and said it was the highest-grossing Nigerian film of 2014.
Makun is credited as a producer and writer on the 2018 film Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons.
UNESCO's 2021 report on the African film industry identified Makun as a stand-up comedian and filmmaker and cited AY Live and the first two Merry Men films as productions that had received brand partnerships.