Nigerian stand-up comedian and actor, Buchi Ojieh, widely known as Buchi, continues to take African comedy global as he brought the heat to Toronto during a thrilling stop on his African Giant Comedy Tour. Performing live at FESTAC Lounge on July 1, 2025, Buchi captivated his Canadian audience with a night of laughter, storytelling, and relatable humour drawn from his experiences as an African, father, and performer.
The highly anticipated event, hosted in the heart of Toronto’s vibrant African community, drew a diverse crowd of comedy lovers, Nollywood fans, and members of the Nigerian diaspora. For over 90 minutes, Buchi held the stage with charisma and clever wit, delivering punchlines that cut across cultures, poking fun at relationships, immigration, family drama, and the Nigerian hustle.
Buchi, known for his seamless blend of pidgin English, Nigerian street slang, and universal themes, has carved a unique niche for himself in the African comedy circuit. With the African Giant Tour, he aims to amplify Nigerian comedy’s reach across global platforms, joining the ranks of trailblazing comedians like Basketmouth, Bovi, and Kenny Blaq who have also embarked on international tours in recent years.
Speaking to fans after the Toronto event, Buchi said:
“I’ve always believed African comedy belongs on the world stage. Our stories are unique, our laughter is powerful, and we deserve to be heard.”
The Toronto stop was not just a night of laughs—it was a celebration of identity. From cracking jokes about African parents in the diaspora to the challenges of adapting to life abroad, Buchi’s performance struck a chord with immigrant audiences who saw reflections of themselves in his stories.
Audience member Adaeze Chukwuma, who attended with her family, said:
“Buchi made us feel seen. It wasn’t just jokes—it was a reminder of where we come from and how we carry that spirit wherever we go.”
The FESTAC Lounge was filled with bursts of laughter, cheers, and moments of nostalgic recognition as Buchi tackled themes of cultural duality, raising African kids abroad, and surviving inflation “both in naira and dollars.”
The African Giant Tour, which kicked off in Abuja earlier this year, has already made successful stops in Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, and now Toronto. According to his management, the next legs of the tour will include Houston, Atlanta, and London, with dates to be announced in the coming weeks.
Industry insiders say Buchi’s strategy of performing in cities with strong African populations is both commercially smart and culturally impactful.
“He’s not just doing shows; he’s building a global African comedy audience,” said a promoter from Toronto’s AfroVibes Media.
This international tour comes after a difficult personal chapter for Buchi, who in late 2023 publicly celebrated gaining full access to his children following a long-running custody battle. He described the victory as “God’s grace” and has since focused on rebuilding his personal life and career with renewed purpose.
His recent content—both onstage and online—has reflected more emotional depth, balancing satire with moments of reflection.