Bukunmi Adelani’s jokes have always laboured to linger, especially with their deliveries. At a recent performance in Kent, London, during the Praise Experience, his dramatic gestures about his furious Nigerian mother warning him not to eat food offered to him at a public gathering — with his legs flapping, and his imaginary adjusting of a wrapper — helped enliven the imagery for the audience and tuck the humour in just a bit longer.
His original material, typically about his grass to grace memoirs when hustling in Odugbolu, Lagos, or reveries about his mother’s zanniness, especially when haggling food prices, or getting emotionally attached to fictional movie plots, are very relatable scenes that have kept his performances louder with laughter than applause. Apart from being a good choice of content for Nigerian audiences, including those in the diaspora, his material stands out as evergreen concepts. While to his core fans, the jokes might seem familiar, but Bukunmi’s approach of cue-ing them with more recent anecdotes, such as the I Just Got Back migrant banter during the Praise Experience, help to strengthen the deliveries and stretch the lifespan of the joke.
Bukunmi Preacher’s stage presence is part the message, part the medium – an eccentric young chap waltzing around the stage, commanding attention with voiced and even mute rhetorics, naturally unlocking crowd choruses with Freudian slips, and maintaining eye contact across the audience. His short standup performances, usually averaging a quarter of an hour, have mostly been a selection of mature humour, rich with storytelling and code switching from Yoruba to English language. His comedy style is devoid of X-rated, racist or sexist jokes, and is usually packed with a mixed crowd, from children to elderly professionals.
The close of the show left the audience reeling in applause amid roaring laughter, and while a joke finds its crown in the loudest crowd roar, Bukunmi’s precision helps to retain its royalty with his sharp closes, that leave one reeling in glee and lingering for more humour — a comedy climax of sorts.
Bukunmi Adelani, widely recognized by his alias Bukunmi Preacher, is a Nigerian comedian and a known comic in the Nigerian entertainment industry, capturing audiences with his unique blend of stand-up comedy and digital skits. Known for his witty observational humour and ability to merge relatable real-life experiences with sharp comedic timing, Bukunmi has quickly gained popularity across social media platforms and live performances.
He started comedy professionally in 2012 having resigned from his bank job. His first break was a live performance on the widely accepted Teju BabyFace show in 2014. Olateju Oyelakin aka Teju BabyFace became his mentor after that till date. Teju Babyface’s mentorship was the inspiration that shaped Bukunmi preacher’s comedy delivery as well as learning tv production from his mentor. Notable performances and clientele in Nigeria are MTN, Vodacom, Ballerz Award at the 3rd and 4th edition, Daystar Christian monthly performance at the church singles fellowship and the Mega Carol service 2019, Bukunmi’s comedy is marked by its versatility—seamlessly transitioning between stand-up shows, social media skits, and viral content. His stand-up performances, often infused with playful audience interaction, feature clever punchlines that are drawn from everyday life and relatable cultural references. Whether discussing the dynamics of Nigerian family life, relationships, or societal issues, Bukunmi uses humour as a tool to bring laughter and awareness. For instance, his stand-up comedy routine about the differences between African parenting and Western parenting became a hit, resonating deeply with audiences who found themselves laughing at the humorous yet true contrasts.
He moved to the united kingdom in 2022 and has become a celebrated name among the Nigerian and indeed African community within the united kingdom. Notable events and stage performances are Arole Da revelation at the lighthouse hall, Camberwell road London,, UK Wealth Summit organized by Roland properties at the Intercontinental London – the O2 UK, My experience 3 comedy show organized by MC OJB at the Church of Pentecost, Milton Keynes.
In addition to his live performances, Bukunmi Preacher has become a social media sensation, utilising platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to create highly engaging content. His skits often showcase him in multiple roles, using clever editing and exaggerated performances to bring everyday scenarios to life. His comedic voice, which captures the essence of African culture while appealing to a global audience, has made him a trailblazer in the world of comedy.
With his continuous evolution as a performer, Bukunmi Preacher is set for greater achievements, bridging the gap between traditional stand-up comedy and the digital content creation world.
