Michael Sani

EARLY LIFE

Michael Sani Amanesi, known professionally as MC Lively (also called Barrister Mike or BM), was born on August 14, 1992, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, into a family of seven. He hails from Agenebode in Edo State, Nigeria, and is of southern Nigerian descent. He described his childhood as mischievous, involving pranks like stealing food, which often led to punishments from his mother, including beatings that made him jokingly question if he was adopted. He attended Ideal Nursery and Primary School and Moremi High School for his primary and secondary education. At age 17, he earned the nickname "Lively" due to his acting skills. He later studied law at Obafemi Awolowo University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2016, but he chose to pursue comedy over a legal career, noting that his legal studies made him a smarter comedian.

PERSONAL LIFE

MC Lively maintains a low profile regarding his romantic life and rarely shares details publicly. As of mid-2024, he was reported as single with no known children or prior engagements. However, in December 2024, he posted an Instagram photo with an unidentified woman, captioned playfully to suggest marital bliss, sparking speculation about an engagement or marriage. By early 2025, he appeared publicly with his wife at events, including the 2025 Africa Movie Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA), where the couple was noted for their stylish presence, though specific wedding details remain undisclosed. No prior long-term relationships are publicly documented. In 2021, he was involved in a controversy where an ex-girlfriend attempted blackmail, falsely claiming pregnancy and demanding N800,000 for expenses; he denied the claims, pursued legal action, and described it as a lesson in verification. Another anecdote includes being bounced from a show by comedian Alibaba in 2017.

CAREER

MC Lively began his entertainment career as an actor at a young age and started comedy professionally in 2015. He gained fame through his comedy skits titled "Agidi," which addressed real-life events and issues in Nigeria, with a breakthrough in 2017 when he uploaded a skit on fuel scarcity. He has performed alongside comedians such as Akpororo and Igosave (I Go Save). As an actor, he debuted in the 2018 film Seven and a Half Dates (also known as Seven and Half Date), playing James, Bisola's second date. Other notable roles include Dele in the 2020 comedy Fate of Alakada: The Party Planner and a role in the 2022 film Survivors. He is also a content creator and MC, with his YouTube channel MC LIVELY TV featuring skits and earning revenue from views and endorsements.

MC Lively has won awards including the Royal African Youth Leadership Award conferred by the Ooni of Ife and the City People Music Award for Comedy Act of the Year.