FOR ME, COMEDY HAS BEEN FULFILLING – ABDULGAFAR ABIOLA
Abdulgafar Abiola, popularly known as Cute Abiola, is a popular Instagram comedian, who combines his craft with his job as an officer in the Nigerian Navy. In this interview with Shade Wesley-Metibogun, he talks about his foray into skit presentation and
Looking back to 2021, how would you describe it? 2021 was filled with mixed emotions. I actually made a lot of important decisions. Although most of my dreams were not fulfilled, I am grateful for what I was able to achieve. Once there is life, there is hope.
Can you share some of the dreams that were fulfilled and the ones you are hoping will come true this year?
I set some targets for myself last year. One of them is the sum of money I wished to make and God helped me to achieve that target. For the ones that I have not been able to fulfill, I believe it will come to pass by the middle of this year. I am really hopeful by God’s grace.
How did your journey into skit making start?
I started using my cell phone to take video-selfies in 2011 and uploaded them on Facebook. In 2016, I rebranded and started making use of a camera. I would upload the videos and photographs on Facebook and people started appreciating them. That was how I fell in love with skits. I can say that I have a passion for it and I can do anything to step up my game. You know, everyone has a childhood dream. Mine was to become a lawyer. Unfortunately, I didn’t meet the JAMB cut-off mark. So I couldn’t study law. My post-UME result wasn’t good enough. I had to change from university to a polytechnic. That was how I decided to forget my childhood dream. I attended Kwara State Polytechnic where I studied Marketing. I had to think of the next thing that came naturally to me, something that could easily replace my desire to study law. The only thing that really came to mind was acting. That gave birth to skit presentation. Although I started comedy in secondary school, my first performance was in 2009. I couldn’t get help when I started, but the social media helped me to showcase my talent.
Looking back now, would you say the journey was worth the while?
I am grateful to God. It is fulfilling and I can say it was worth the while too. I have no regrets not ending up as a lawyer. Anyway, I am a lawyer in my skits, so I am not missing out totally.
What was your parents’ reaction when you told them that you wanted to go into comedy?
I didn’t even tell them about it. I just started pursuing my dream and they noticed what I was doing. You know it is normal for parents to ask questions. They asked me what the whole thing was all about and I told them that it was something that I loved to do. It is normal for parents to disagree with their children, especially when it comes to choosing a career. I had to talk to them about it. They had no other choice than to go along with it.
There was a time you were interested in setting up a Fuji music band, but nothing came out of it. What really happened?
Yes, there was a time I spoke about it. I got so busy that I almost forgot about it. I needed a consistent drummer, but it was quite expensive for me then. I had to take a break and get back to work so that I could have enough to take care of that aspect of my dream. The dream is still valid. I will still achieve it very soon.
What are the challenges of being an Instagram comedian?
The challenges for me have to do with the people I invite to take part in my skits. You invite some people for a shoot and you have to wait endlessly for them turn up, even as you have other things to do. But you have no choice than to wait till they show up. Also, when the videographer refuses to release your videos as soon as possible, those are the things I can call challenges.
How much does it cost to shoot a skit?
It was not as expensive as it is now. It is very expensive. Sometimes, I spend up to N300, 000 to shoot a skit. When you invite people, you definitely have to pay them. I give them something for their transport and other stuff. If I use a large cast, I spend more. There are some people that I don’t pay. They are the people that are very close to me. Some of my colleagues fall into that category. There are some people that I have to pay for their appearance in my skit. The videographer is paid, too.
What is the process of making a skit?
When I come up with an idea, a concept, I write it down. I used to pay script writers, but now I love to deliver my story myself. That is why I write the script myself. I will call my production manager and share the idea of the whole concept with him. I will then choose the cast for the shoot and speak with them about the concept. After shooting it, I wait for the editor to deliver the video. Then it will be uploaded.
Beyond comedy, what is your long-term plan in the entertainment industry?
I am planning to go into movie production in the nearest future. If I am going to do any other business, it will definitely be in the entertainment industry.
What is your advice to anyone who aspires to make skits?
They should be different. They can do their skits without copying anyone’s concept. They should be creative. When they are creative, a lot of people will embrace what they do. People will definitely love them for who they are. They have to be patient, too. It takes a lot of effort and hard work to break even. Once they don’t give up on their dreams, the sky is their limit. Skit making requires persistence. They should just keep at it. They will be known very soon and they will start reaping the reward of their hard work.
Where will you say you got your funny nature from?
I got it from my father. My dad is extremely funny. He is funny to a fault. So, I got the funny side of him.
What is your opinion about skit makers putting out shallow content?
A lot of people are into comedy for so many reasons. I would say that I am in comedy because I have a passion for it. When I started, it wasn’t for the money. I was doing it for the passion and love, but as time passed, I made some progress. People started requesting my bank account number in appreciation of what I do. I can’t deny that the prospect of money lures many into comedy. Some are there because it is trending and the path that many people have followed, especially with the inordinate statistics of unemployment. That is why some people are producing shallow contents. They lack passion and just want to make money. They don’t care about professionalism.
What was growing up like as an only child of your parents?
My growing up was very interesting. I lived with my parents for 22 years. I got a lot of parental love from them. As a child, I felt so much love around me. I was pampered as an only child. My parents didn’t have much to sponsor me to the level they wanted, but I had a lot of special moments with them. They made up for that with the love they showered on me.
You have featured your wife in some of your skits. Was it an attempt to introduce her into the entertainment industry or was it just for the fun of it?
She had the talent and I felt she could showcase what she had to the world. She had also been telling me that she wanted to appear in some of my skits. That was why she made some appearances in it. I didn’t believe she could do it at first, but she kept on talking about it. So, we gave it a trial and she put in her best. She has appeared in two of my skits.
What is your relationship with Instagram influencer, Adedamola Adewale Rukayat otherwise known as Adeherself? A lot was said about both of you some time ago?
She is my sister.
You no longer work together like you used to before. What happened?
We are still going to work together. We have some great plans that will be unveiled very soon.
A lot of your fans believed that you were going to get married to her. The impression they had was that you two were dating?
I can’t really remember what happened. I have forgotten about it. And I don’t think there is anything to remember about it, in the first place. The only thing I can say is that she is my sister. Like I told you earlier, we are still going to work together. The fact that fans have not seen anything from us does not make us enemies. No, that is not true. I appreciate my fans and I am grateful for their support. They should be on the lookout for the work that we will soon put out.
You married at a young age. Were you pressured to marry early?
Do you know my age? The thing is that, if I actually had a younger brother or sister, by the time you see the person, you will know that I am not as young as people think. I used to tell people that maybe because I am an only child that is why I look very young. I like the fact that people are confused about my age. Don’t you think it is a very good thing? That is how I will continue to look young forever. By the time I am 50, some people will think I am still in my thirties. That is actually very unique and I love it. I am enjoying it. I married at the age that a young man should marry. I was ripe for marriage before I ventured into it. Let me keep them guessing then. Thank God, my wife is taking good care of me. I will continue to look young and keep getting them confused.
What are your plans for 2022?
I have stopped telling people about my plan before I execute them. It is better for them to wait and see what will come out from my stables. Things don’t work out for me when I broadcast it to everyone. They should just wait and see the positive vibes from ‘Lawyer Kunle’ this year. I just want to shock my fans. They should keep their hands crossed.