Nigerian comedian, master of ceremonies and content creator Chimaraph has opened up about his early passion for acting and how it shaped his journey in entertainment.
Speaking on the Conversations With Kenni podcast hosted by Kehinde Ajose, he revealed that acting came naturally to him long before stand-up comedy or hosting.
“Way back in secondary school, I’ve always been an actor. I even worn a best actor award in Rivers State at one of the biggest cultural competitions for entertainment. It came naturally for me and when I started stand up comedy, I took advantage of any opportunity to act,” he said.
During his years as a comedian, Chimaraph connected with people already working in film. One of them was Stanley Obi, who was building his career as a filmmaker at the time. Obi became his personal director, handling his skits, and later grew into a full director.
“He directed the Odogwu that went viral,” Chimaraph noted.
When asked if every comedian can automatically become an actor, he gave a clear answer.
“I don’t think so. Acting is something you have to learn how to do. For some people, it’s natural, but they still have to hone their gifts. Every comedian can’t be an actor even though there’re elements of acting in stand up comedy, but that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be a good actor.”
His comments highlight the difference between natural talent and deliberate skill development. While stand-up requires performance energy and timing, Chimaraph stressed that true acting demands more focused training and practice.
From winning a best actor honour in Rivers State as a student to collaborating with directors and expanding into film and skits, Chimaraph’s story shows how early gifts can open doors when combined with continuous growth. The podcast conversation offers a fresh look at the multiple talents behind one of Nigeria’s busy entertainment figures.