Nigerian comedian Sabinus has explained why he still shoots most of his comedy skits in Port Harcourt, even as his popularity has grown far beyond the city.
For Sabinus, it appears the choice is simply about being comfortable in the environment where he creates.
The comedian said Port Harcourt gives him the kind of atmosphere he needs to work and produce his content without too much pressure. That familiarity has remained important to him as his comedy career has continued to grow.
Sabinus, whose real name is Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, became widely known for his comedy skits and his memorable characters. His videos often take everyday Nigerian situations and turn them into simple, relatable jokes.
A lot of his humour comes from situations that Nigerians can easily recognize, whether it is something that happens at work, in the family or during everyday interactions.
That connection with ordinary life has played a major role in the comedian’s popularity.
Although Lagos is often seen as the centre of Nigeria’s entertainment industry, Sabinus has continued to create much of his content from Port Harcourt. The city is also significant to his story because it is where he developed much of his comedy career before becoming a nationally recognised entertainer.
For him, staying in Port Harcourt means he can work in a place he already knows and feels comfortable in.
It also allows him to maintain a connection with the city that played a major role in his early days as a comedian.
Sabinus’ decision is interesting because many entertainers eventually move their operations to Lagos as their careers become bigger. With more production companies, industry events and entertainment opportunities based there, Lagos can be an obvious choice for creators looking to expand.
Sabinus, however, has shown that being based outside Lagos does not necessarily prevent a content creator from reaching a huge audience.
His skits have continued to attract viewers across Nigeria and among Nigerians living abroad. His style remains heavily rooted in everyday Nigerian experiences, which is part of what makes his content easy for his audience to connect with.
Speaking about his creative process, the comedian made it clear that Port Harcourt gives him an environment where he can create comfortably.
For someone whose work depends on constantly coming up with new ideas, that comfort can make a difference.
And while the locations used in his skits may seem like a small detail to viewers, Port Harcourt has become closely connected to Sabinus’ identity as a comedian.
For now, it appears the city will remain an important part of how he creates his content, even as his audience and career continue to grow.