It is often considered a cliché to stress that Nigeria is the birthplace of creativity and talent exhibition in Africa. However, the more a hard look is applied, the more the reality of the assertion strikes a chord.

When it appears that the last generation of entertainers is here, then a new circle of sensational comedians storms the scene. Social media comedian, Mutari Hamidu, fondly known as Mktechnic, is blazing the trail in creativity among the versatile youths in the north. Born on December 11, 2002, the Adamawa State indigene and computer science graduate churns out funny content in Hausa Language, proving that language is not a barrier in entertainment after all.

In the midst of the global meltdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mktechnic found a way to channel his passion through comedy, bringing relief to humanity deeply struck by debilitating circumstances. The acceptability of his originality is so loud that since then, he commands almost three million combined followers on TikTok and Instagram.

“I started comedy in 2020, more than five years now. What inspired me to venture into comedy was my passion for making people happy. Ever since I was young, I’ve always loved making my friends and family laugh. At first, I used to crack jokes in school and during gatherings, and people always encouraged me to take it seriously.

“Over time, I realised that comedy is not just about jokes, it is about connecting with people, sharing experiences, and putting smiles on their faces. I also watched a lot of Nigerian comedians online, and seeing how they entertained people inspired me to believe that I could do the same, especially in my own language,” Mutari Hamidu stated.

Mktechnic admitted that although creating content in the Hausa language could limit his reach on social media, the use of the language is deliberate to deepen his culture and heritage in a global market.

“I chose Hausa because it’s the language I grew up speaking, and it connects me directly to my people. Most of my audience understands Hausa, and I wanted my comedy to reflect our culture, lifestyle, and way of talking. Comedy becomes more natural and funny when I express myself in my mother tongue, and it helps me represent the northern culture in the world.

“I understand that using Hausa might limit my audience to some extent, but I don’t see it as a disadvantage. In fact, it’s what makes my content unique. People love originality, and Hausa has its own flavor of comedy that connects deeply with my audience. Besides, laughter is universal — even if someone doesn’t fully understand the language, my expressions and actions still make them enjoy the content.”

Besides breaking the language barrier, Mkechnic disclosed that his ambition as a celebrity is to inspire other youths in the north, in the creative space.

“My biggest ambition as an online celebrity is to use my platform to inspire creativity and positivity. I want to show young people, especially in northern Nigeria, that they can turn their talents into a career. Ultimately, I aim to become a household name in comedy, known for originality and making people laugh while representing my culture,” stated Mutari Hamidu.