Ayo Makun

A.Y
Comedian A.Y
AY at 2026 AMVCA
Born
Ayodeji Richard Makun

(1971-08-19) 19 August 1971
Ondo State, Nigeria
Alma materDelta State University
Occupations
  • comedian
  • actor
Known for
SpouseMabel Makun (m. 2008)
Children2

Ayodeji Richard Makun (// ⓘ; born 19 August 1971), professionally known as A.Y, is a Nigerian actor, comedian, radio and television presenter and film director.[4][5] He is the host of the A.Y live shows and A.Y comedy skits. His debut movie, 30 Days in Atlanta[6] was produced by him and directed by Robert O. Peters. In addition, Makun was appointed a U.N Peace Ambassador in 2009 and is the CEO of Corporate World Entertainment, Nigeria.

Early life and education

Makun was born on 19 August 1971 and hails from Ifon, in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State. He is the eldest male child in a family of seven.[5] Makun received his education at Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria, and graduated with a degree in theatre arts in 2003, after nine years of study.[7][8][9] While a student, Makun was awarded the Jaycee Club Socio-Personality Award, Best Show Business Promoter (2001), Most Celebrated Student on Campus (2001), and Most Fashionable Student on Campus (1999 and 2000).[10]

Career

Makun came into the spotlight while working as Alibaba Akporobome's personal assistant and event manager. He wrote going "A.Y wire" as a guest columnist in The Sun (Nigeria) and Gbenga Adeyinka's Laugh Mattaz.[11]

Makun directs and acts in the Nigerian sitcom AY's Crib alongside Alex Ekubo, Venita Akpofure, Buchi Franklin, and Justice Nuagbe. He also hosts comedy shows such as AY Live, which features comedians like Bovi, Helen Paul, and many others. Makun is the CEO of Corporate World entertainment, Nigeria, and also owns a clubhouse.[12] As an investor in stand-up comedy, he launched the AY "Open Mic Challenge," a platform designed to support and showcase emerging comedians.[13]

Events

Makun co-hosted the 2018 Golden Movie Awards Africa with Joselyn Dumas, held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Ghana.[14][15]

Personal life

Makun married his wife, Mabel, in November 2008, and they have two children.[16][17][18]

In April 2024, Makun publicly announced the marital separation and subsequent divorce from his wife of 20 years, Mabel Makun, stating that he had lost a 20-year friendship and marriage.[19] Following the dissolution of his marriage, Makun disclosed in an interview that he stopped attending church services because he found church congregations judgmental and unsupportive toward individuals experiencing marital breakdown.[20][21] He later addressed public speculation regarding his marital status, clarifying in August 2025 that he was not seeking reconciliation with his ex-wife and emphasizing that both parties had moved on independently.[22]

Awards timeline

2008

  • Comedian of the Year: Diamond Awards for Comedy[23][24]
  • Comedian of the Year: Teens Favorite[24]
  • Comedian of the Year: MBG Abuja Merit Awards
  • Comedian of the Year: National Daily Awards
  • Comedian of the Year: Arsenal Award for Excellence
  • Comedian of the Year: Mode Men of the Year Awards

2009

  • U.N Peace Ambassador.[25]

2010

2013

  • Most Creative Entrepreneur of the Year, (comedy category): Creative Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria (CEAN)[27][28]
  • Best Event (A.Y Live): NELAS Awards 2018, United Kingdom[29]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2014 Being Mrs Elliot[1][2][3] Ishawuru with Omoni Oboli, Sylvia Oluchi and Majid Michel
2014 30 Days in Atlanta Akpors with Ramsey Nouah, Lynn Whitfield, Karlie Redd and Richard Mofe Damijo
2016 A Trip to Jamaica Akpos also starring Funke Akindele, Eric Roberts, Dan Davies, Chris Attoh
2016 The Wedding Party MC also starring Adesua Etomi, Sola Sobowale, Banky W and Richard Mofe Damijo
2016 10 Days in Sun City Akpos also starring Adesua Etomi, Mercy Johnson, Richard Mofe Damijo, Falz
2017 American Driver Ayo Makun also starring Evan King, Jim Iyke, Anita Chris, Nse Ikpe Etim, Nadia Buari, Emma Nyra, Johnny Dewan, Laura Heuston, McPc the Comedian, Michael Tula, Andie Raven
2017 The Accidental Spy[30] John also starring Ramsey Nouah Christine Allado
2017 The Wedding Party 2 MC also starring Adesua Etomi, Sola Sobowale, Banky W and Richard Mofe Damijo
2018 Merry Men: The Real Yoruba Demons Ayo Abioritsegbemi also starring Jim Iyke, Ramsey Nouah, Falz and Richard Mofe Damijo
2019 Merry Men 2 Amaju also starring, Jim Iyke, Ramsey Nouah, Falz and Damilola Adegbite
2002 Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Timi Phillips with Ramsey Nouah, Stan Nze, Bucci Franklin
2021 Christmas in Miami[31] Akpos also starring, Richard Mofe Damijo, Osita Iheme, Desiree Farnum, Manoj Chandra, Tanya Price, and Kent Morita[32]
2022 Almajiri Oloye with Alexx Ekubo, Asabe Madaki
2023 Merry Men 3: Nemesis Amaju with Fred Amata, Segun Arinze
2024 Mr Patrick Wahala in America Prophet with Chinedu Daniel Acapella, Farheen Barey, Eugene Bernard

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "BEING MRS ELLIOT / OMONI OBOLI, MAJID MICHEL". 9FLIX. Archived from the original on 13 June 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 "'Being Mrs Elliott' Watch movie review by Adenike Adebayo". Pulse Nigeria. Chidumga Izuzu. 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Nollywood movie review: Being Mrs. Elliot". Premium Times. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  4. ↑ "Thanks for ignoring naysayers, comedian AY Makun hails wife on childbirth". The Punch. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Ayo Makun Biography and Profile | | Nairagent.com". 30 November 2019. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  6. ↑ "30 Days in Atlanta". www.30daysinatlanta.com. Corporate World Entertainment Ltd. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "A.Y, Actor, Comedian, Nigeria Personality Profiles". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  8. ↑ "Ayo Makun: Life has taught me to be fully focused on my craft". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  9. ↑ "I spent nine years in the university". The Punch. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2014.
  10. ↑ Ajose, Kehinde (6 July 2019). "Ayo Makun becomes most followed African comedian on social media". TheNewsGuru. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  11. ↑ "NFC Celebrates AY Achievements In Comedy". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  12. ↑ "Biography of Ayo Makun and Net-worth – 2019 Latest Update". Current School News. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  13. ↑ "AY Makun's 'Call to Bar'". This Day. 3 April 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  14. ↑ "Joselyn Dumas And A.Y Named As Host of 2018 Golden Movie Awards Africa". zionfelix.net. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  15. ↑ "Full list of winners at 2018 Golden Movie Awards Africa". GhanaWeb. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  16. ↑ "11 years of Marriage, 16 years of Friendship ❤️ AY Makun & wife Mabel are still Waxing Strong". BellaNaija. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  17. ↑ "Comedian 'AY' Makun Welcomes Second Child With Mabel After 13 Years". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 19 January 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  18. ↑ "AY Makun denies rumour of seeking reconciliation with estranged wife". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 22 August 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  19. ↑ Sanusi, Abiodun (8 April 2024). "Marriage crash: Lessons from AY, estranged wife's separation". Vanguard. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  20. ↑ Adeyemi, Segun (15 August 2025). "Why I stopped going to church after my divorce – AY Comedian". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  21. ↑ "Why I stopped going to church after divorce – AY Comedian". The Eagle Online. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  22. ↑ Ogunseyin, Oluyemi (22 August 2025). "I'm not seeking reconciliation with my ex-wife, AY comedian clarifies". Premium Times. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
  23. ↑ "allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Mine is Comedy Awards With a Difference - Ladi Gombe (Page 1 of 1)". allafrica.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  24. 1 2 "COMEDIAN AYO RICHARD MAKUN:SETS A PACE IN COMEDY BUSINESS!". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  25. ↑ Nigeria, Guardian (21 August 2021). "Ayo Makun: Life has taught me to be fully focused on my craft". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  26. ↑ Nigeria Entertainment Awards
  27. ↑ "CEAN Awards – Creative Nigeria". Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  28. ↑ "AY wins Nigeria's Creative Entrepreneur of the Year". Pulse Nigeria. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  29. ↑ "Ayo Makun's Impressive Net Worth and a Look At His Massive House". BuzzNigeria - Famous People, Celebrity Bios, Updates and Trendy News. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  30. ↑ The Accidental Spy, retrieved 25 February 2019
  31. ↑ Premium Times https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/504837-movie-review-in-christmas-in-miami-rmd-saves-the-day.html?tztc=1. Retrieved 8 June 2024. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. ↑ "Christmas in Miami". IMDb.
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