COMEDY AS A TOOL OF SOCIO-COMMENTARY IN LAYO WASABI’S SKIT

Student: Folasade Beauty Adenekan
Supervisor: Dr Abiola Kalejaiye
HOD: Prof Segun Omosule
Department of English
Arts
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State

Abstract

Comedy has evolved beyond entertainment to become a powerful medium for social criticism, public engagement, and cultural expression, especially in the digital age. This study examines comedy as a tool of socio-commentary in Layo Wasabi’s skits, focusing on how her humorous content reflects and critiques contemporary social issues in Nigerian society. Through the use of satire, irony, exaggeration, and relatable storytelling, Layo Wasabi addresses themes such as gender roles, family relationships, youth culture, economic hardship, and everyday societal behaviors. The study adopts a qualitative research approach, employing content analysis of selected skits to identify recurring themes and the communication strategies used to convey social messages. The analysis reveals that Layo Wasabi effectively combines humor with social critique, enabling audiences to engage with sensitive issues in an entertaining yet thought-provoking manner. Her skits not only provide comic relief but also encourage reflection on societal norms, values, and human interactions. The findings suggest that digital comedy serves as an accessible platform for public discourse and social awareness, particularly among young audiences who consume content through social media. The study concludes that Layo Wasabi’s skits demonstrate the potential of comedy to influence perceptions, stimulate conversations, and contribute to social change by presenting everyday realities through a humorous lens.

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