The comedian, actor, writer and entertainment consultant is in Rwanda to headline Friday’s Thank God It’s Funny Showcase at Kigali Universe alongside host Babu Joe.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Forever reflected on the unconventional career path that has taken him from engineering classrooms in Nigeria to comedy stages across 20 countries.
Despite graduating as a mechanical engineer and ranking among the best students in his class, Forever said he realised before completing university that his future lay elsewhere.
“I’ve always written funny stories and plays since I was a kid,” he said.
He recalled watching Night of a Thousand Laughs in 2005 and discovering that stand-up comedians were essentially doing what he had always loved: telling funny stories.
“I tried it, it worked, and I kept going. By my final year, I already knew I wasn’t going to practise engineering. I was happier making people laugh.”
For Forever, the satisfaction of hearing from people whose lives had been brightened by his jokes outweighed the appeal of pursuing a conventional engineering career.
“People would call me randomly, saying they remembered a joke and were laughing at home. That joy kept me going,” he said.
Family initially resisted
Like many African parents who view professions such as engineering, medicine and law as the safest paths to success, Forever’s family initially struggled to accept his decision.
“It wasn’t easy, especially with my mum. It took about three to four years for her to accept it,” he revealed.
“Parents invest so much, and they expect you to follow the doctor-engineer-lawyer path. But when they saw I was making progress and getting results, they became supportive.”
Today, he says, his family fully embraces his career.
Why Kigali stood out
While in Rwanda primarily for Friday’s performance, Forever said Kigali exceeded every expectation he had before arriving.
He described stepping out of the airport and immediately noticing the calm atmosphere.
“It was a shock. I came out of the airport, and it was so quiet. In Lagos, the moment you land, there’s chaos and activity everywhere. Here it was calm,” he said.
“The city is easygoing, smooth sailing. It actually reminds me of Abuja — quiet, calm, cool and collected.”
The comedian also praised Kigali’s organisation, cleanliness and sense of security, saying experiencing them firsthand was very different from simply reading about them.
“I read that Rwanda is Africa’s cleanest city with top-notch security, but seeing it is different,” he said.
“The city is very neat. People are walking freely at 11 p.m. or midnight. Boda bodas are still moving at one or two in the morning. That level of order, cleanliness and security in Africa is impressive.”
Forever believes Nigerians could learn from Rwanda’s coordination and orderliness.
“Nigerians can learn to mind their business,” he joked.
“In Rwanda, people mind their business. In Nigeria, minding your business is everybody’s business.”
He added that combining Rwanda’s coordination with Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit would be a powerful combination.
“What Rwanda can learn from us is our spirit — that always-on-the-move, always-pushing energy.”
Lessons from comedy
Having shared stages with some of Africa’s biggest comedians, including Basketmouth, Forever said the greatest lesson he has learned is never to lose the drive to improve.
“Hunger. The hunger must never die,” he said.
“Basketmouth has been at the top for almost three decades, and he’s still writing new material, still touring, still hungry. That’s what keeps you at the top.”
Although he once joked that “nobody gets into comedy by passion,” Forever explained that passion developed after discovering his natural talent.
“I got in because of talent. I was already good at it, and the more I did it, the better I became. Then passion grew.”
He added that seeing audiences light up when they recognise him remains the biggest reward.
“When someone sees me on the street, and their face just lights up — that’s priceless. I don’t want to trade that.”
Looking beyond Friday’s show
Forever said he is looking forward to meeting more of Rwanda’s comedy community and expects Friday’s audience to bring as much energy as he plans to deliver.
“The comedian brings energy but also feeds off the audience. I can’t wait,” he said.
He also revealed that he hopes this will not be his last performance in Rwanda.
Calling Kigali “like my second home,” Forever said he plans to return as part of his African tour and dreams of one day filling the 10,000-seat BK Arena.
“First impressions matter, and I love it here,” he said.
“One day Forever will fill BK Arena. I’ll be back next year with my African tour. Kigali is like my second home now.”
Watch the full interview below as Forever reflects on choosing comedy over engineering, his admiration for Kigali, and his plans to return to Rwanda.
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