22-year-old Layi Wasabi, born Olayiwola Isaac, is one of Nigeria’s most popular digital content creators. On the night of May 11, 2024, he won an Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA), the annual show that awards excellence in African cinema and television.
Since he went viral in 2021 for his skits on social media, Layi Wasabi has come to take a seat at the mainstream table. This is a timeline of his journey.
2021: Layi Wasabi started creating content
In December 2021, Layi was a law undergraduate at Bowen University when his comedy video about blocking your mum from viewing your WhatsApp status went viral, thanks to Instagram bloggers like YabaLeftOnline and Tunde Ednut. Since then, he has launched popular video characters like Professor, The Law, Officer Robert and Life Coach.
2022: Brand partnerships and cashing out
Throughout the year, he made viral videos with his comedy characters. He was also featured in various paid campaigns with big brands like Chicken Republic, Flutterwave, Laughing Out Loud Naija, Ladipoe, and Trophy Lager beer.
June 2023: Management deal
On June 23, 2023, Layi Wasabi went from handling his content creation business to being signed to Penzaaraville Africa, a talent management company known for working with brands like Bolt, Red Bull and Wema Bank
July 2023: Layi at Trendupp Awards
Layi won the Emerging Force award at the 2023 Trendupp Awards, an award ceremony for Nigeria’s digital content creators.
September 2023: Revelation of the Year
Layi caught the attention of the Wale Adenuga Production’s Nigerian Comedy Awards and won their Revelation of the Year award. The same month, he was nominated for The Future Awards Africa’s Content Creation prize.
February 2024: “Anikulapo” announcement
On February 1, 2024, Layi Wasabi announced on his page that he would star in the TV series spin-off of Kunle Afolayan’s hit movie, “Anikulapo”.
March 2024: Meta’s Creators of Tomorrow and AMVCA nomination
On March 14, Layi was among the five Nigerian content creators selected by the Instagram and Meta communities. 11 days later, Layi was nominated for Best Digital Content Creator at the 2024 African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA).
May 2024: Layi won an AMVCA
The Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) is among the biggest African film awards. In its 10th edition, Layi Wasabi won the Best Digital Content Creator award.
