Alibaba Akpobome

EARLY LIFE

Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome was born on 24 June 1965 into the royal family of Agbarha-Otor in Delta State. He is the first son after several daughters. He spent his first eight years in Warri before the family moved due to his father’s military postings. His father was a retired soldier who had served in Lagos (and had earlier worked as a teacher). He attended Ojo Primary School and Command Secondary School, Ipaja, in Lagos, then Ibru College in Agbarha-Otor, Delta State. He later studied Religious Studies and Philosophy at Bendel State University (now Ambrose Alli University), Ekpoma, graduating around 1990. While at university he was a neighbour to Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. He originally planned to study Law but discovered his talent for comedy on campus.

CAREER

After graduating, Ali Baba moved to Lagos to develop his comedy career rather than pursue Law. He began performing at corporate events and appeared on television with personalities such as Patrick Doyle, Charly Boy, and Danladi Bako, as well as on radio with Bisi Olatilo, Sani Irabor, and others. He also worked briefly as an executive assistant. He is credited with helping professionalise and commercialise stand-up comedy in Nigeria, mentoring younger comedians and creating platforms for new talent. Notable initiatives include: The annual 1 January Concert (reviewing the previous year and recognising academic excellence). Spontaneity, a quarterly platform for emerging comedians. He has performed at major corporate and high-profile national events and is known for sharp observational humour. He has also acted in films including My Guy (1999), The Last 3 Digits (2014), Head Gone (2014), The Wedding Party (2016), Alakada (2017), Gold Statue (2019), and The Man for the Job (2022).

PERSONAL LIFE

Ali Baba has been married to Mary Akpobome since 2006. The couple have several children, including daughters. In 2024, at the age of 59, they welcomed triplet sons through IVF after Mary expressed a strong desire for a son once their older children had moved abroad. Ali Baba has publicly discussed the unexpected splitting of one fertilised egg that resulted in triplets instead of the planned twins. He has spoken about earlier relationships (including one with Patricia Leon) and values family life alongside his career. He is also known to enjoy reading and painting.

Ali Baba has received numerous awards for his contributions to comedy and entertainment, including recognition as Comedian of the Decade and various industry merit awards. He was inducted into the Johnnie Walker “Striding Man” Society (2009), became the first Nigerian comedian to ring the Nigerian Stock Exchange year-end closing bell (2012), is a Special Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, and received a Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International (2018). He was featured on CNN’s African Voices in 2015 discussing the professionalisation of Nigerian comedy. President Bola Tinubu publicly congratulated him on his 60th birthday in 2025, describing him as a trailblazer who helped build the comedy industry into a significant part of Nigeria’s creative economy. Ali Baba continues to be active as a performer, host, mentor, and advocate for standards and professionalism in Nigerian comedy.