In the last two years, Africa has seen a rise in comedic skits, with the youth serving as both creators and consumers. Because of their high level of innovation, the youth are the producers. They are also customers due to a number of circumstances, including a higher unemployment rate and greater Internet access than older individuals or digital migrants.
Skit is a form of commenting on or criticising objects, issues, or individuals that dates back to the early 1800s. Skit has numerous names in different parts of continental Africa, from north to east and west to south. Our research reveals that the names are derived from African traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. From a literary standpoint, our analyst discovered that skit is “a short performance in which the players imitate persons, events, and forms of literature in order to make fun of them.”
As previously said, Nigeria’s comedy skit market is quickly expanding. Skit makers range from Mark Angel to Taaooma and Maraji to Real Warri and a slew of others. The factors mentioned previously are significantly responsible for the growth. One of the factors, unemployment, has recently been reaffirmed by a nationwide study done by the Africa Polling Institute. The study found that over 60% of Nigerians watch skits amid the rise in youth unemployment.
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There are also several personal perspectives and market data that define market growth in billions of dollars and naira. The sector has been discovered to be both a source of employment and a remedy for societal problems. The Nigerian government has praised the players, particularly the manufacturers, for this and other contributions. According to certain stakeholders, the sector is suitable for investment based on all indicators. Stakeholders expect the comedy skit business to be funded in the same way that angel and venture capital investors have funded other sectors and industries over the last decade.
Aside from the industry’s economic benefits, there are various signs that comedic skits can help people manage mental illness. According to the World Health Organization, one out of every four Nigerians has a mental health problem. Nigeria, however, lacks a strong mental health illness management system as well as resources (human and materials).
This, according to our analyst, explains why many Nigerians watch skits on their mobile gadgets. The most frequent mental health conditions in Nigeria include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors. Over 70% of the skits focused on aiding people with these disorders, according to an analysis of 100 skits. To put it another way, skit writers act as mental health therapists.
Based on these insights, Nigeria’s digital comedy skit is undeniably interesting. However, following our analyst’s observational studies over the last three weeks, it has become clear that players must pay attention to how skits are made in Nigeria, given different uncertainties such as the level of insecurity and people’s ‘unexpected mood swings.’
It is self-evident that the goal of the skit is to make people happy. Meanwhile, observing and analyzing 100 skits reveals that creating skits with people who are not part of the production crew and have no prior knowledge of the skits’ content is risky. It has a proclivity for inciting mob activity. Skits aimed at preventing individuals from engaging in money rituals, ritual killings, and other similar activities without the consent of those approached by the skit makers have the potential to escalate to mob actions.
The examination of the skits reveals that the majority of the makers postpone expressing that the interaction they are having with non-members of the production crew is purely comedic. This is particularly dangerous when the individuals’ emotions are rapidly and intensely shifting. Makers must rethink their production technique in order to preserve the benefits of skits. It is also important to obtain a security authorization and protection, in addition to telling individuals of their intentions. According to our analysis, this will provide the best security against mob actions.
