By Balogun Kamilu Lekan
Biography
Bovi, real name Abovi Ugboma is an award-winning Nigerian stand-up comedian, director, producer, actor, and writer.
He was born on September 25, 1979, to Chief Eddie and Margaret Ugbomah in Benin CIty. Bovi is 49 years as of 2022.
The comedian has recorded success in the industry for his rib-cracking jokes and stand-up comedy concerts like Man on Fire, which is one of the most sought-after comedy concerts in Nigeria and abroad.
Bovi has worked with top names in the comedy industry like Alibaba, I Go Dye, I Go Save, Buchi, Basketmouth, Julius Agwu, and Okey Bakassi.
Education
Bovi had his elementary education at Uniben Staff School before heading to Government College, Ughelli, for his secondary education.
He then proceeded to Delta State University, Abraka, where he bagged a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts in 2002.
Bovi observed his one-year mandatory national youth service at National Television Authority (NTA), Lokoja.
Career
Bovi moved to Lagos in 2004 to market his script to Africa’s leading actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo(RMD).
RMD ended up hiring him as his assistant.
Bovi worked for RMD for two years before he began drifting into comedy in 2007.
He debuted in his self-written sitcom, “Extended Family” in 2007. His sitcom gained massive success as it became one of the leading TV shows in Nigeria at that time.
By 2008, Bovi had risen to prominence as he was sought after to feature in comedy shows. He has had the opportunity to appear on popular stand-up comedy shows like Night of a Thousand Laughs, Uncensored, and Lord of the Ribs, amongst others.
In 2016, he premiered his debut movie; It’s Her Day. This movie enjoyed significant success in the country as it was nominated for several awards and won many others. It grossed about N55 million at the box office.
On his YouTube channel, he began a TV series, “BACK TO SCHOOL”, in 2018. Where he, alongside other top Nigerian comedians, portrays the life of an adult Nigerian student in secondary school
Bovi also produced another sitcom, The Bovi Ugboma Show (TBUS). It was an award-winning sitcom.
In 2013, Abovi started his one-person stand-up comedy show themed Man on Fire. The show debuted in Lagos with massive acceptance from the populace. The annual show, since its inception, has also been hosted in different cities like Toronto, London and New York.
Bovi has also featured in several movies like Standing alone, 4-1-Love, It’s Her Day, Nneka The Pretty Serpent and My Village People, amongst others.
Marriage
Bovi is married to Kris Asimonye and is blessed with three children.
- Elena
- David
- Chuchu
Net worth
Bovi is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the Nigerian comedy industry, making him one of the highest paid. He has also bagged some brand endorsement deals with top brands in Nigeria like Blue Gate, Vitafoam, Diamond Bank and Glo, amongst others
The award-winning comedian is also a proud owner of several exotic cars in his fleet. Some of which include
Toyota Prado
Ford Unlimited
G WAGON
Range Rover
His net worth is reportedly valued at 2 billion naira. However, NewsWireNGR cannot independently verify this at the moment.
Achievements
Bovi’s awards and nominations throughout his career include but are not limited to the following:
- Comedian of the Year by the Culture People
- Comedian of the Year by Ghana Awards
- The Best Youth Comedian by the Stand-up Comedians Award
- Best writer and actor in comedy
- Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA).
Below is a glimpse of Bovi’s filmography.
FIlms
- Indecent girl
- Standing alone
- 4-1-Love
- It’s Her Day
- Nneka The Pretty Serpent
- My Village People
- The Perfect Arrangement
TV sitcoms
- Extended family
- The Bovi Ugboma Show
Web-based series
- Back To School
- Banana Republic
- Visa On Arrival
Controversy
In April 2022, Bovi announced that he was banned from entering the United States after being labelled for clashing with a visa-issuing officer.
He revealed this when a fan asked him on Instagram to visit and perform in Massachusetts. “I’m banned in the USA,” he said when replying to the fan.
A fan had asked him to visit and perform in Massachusetts, but Bovi said he was banned from the US after he clashed with a visa-issuing officer and got labelled.
Explaining the reason for his ban, he said “Ill luck. Met a charity-like visa-issuing officer. Egos clashed. I was labeled.”
Later in 2022, NewsWireNGR reported that the comedian was accused of stealing at a London hotel. He shared his experience on his Instagram page.
According to him, he was asked to present his card used for booking the hotel. He told the officials his wife in Nigeria helped book the hotel, which raised the alarm.
He, however, told the officials to google him during interrogation.
The comedian explained the incident on his Instagram page. He wrote, “Simon Leviev done spoil everywhere o. Tryna check into hotel in London and they insist I present the card that was used for the booking.
“I tell them it was done for me by my wife and she’s in Naija. That made it worse. They think I’m stealing. Then to crown am, my own card dey decline.
“For the first time in my life, I said the words’ google me‘.”
