From skits to studios: Lasisi Elenu’s creative evolution

Nigeria’s creator economy is now packed with skit makers and short-form comedians hoping to carve out a niche. Yet, very few have successfully evolved from one-man acts into end-to-end creative machines.

Lasisi is among the exceptions, having taken on the roles of writer, performer, director, producer, and even mentor. What started as comedic rants on Snapchat has grown into a production model that mirrors elements of small studios: scripts are written and rewritten, characters are archived and refined, shoots often run for hours, and post-production, especially editing and voiceovers, can take days.

Contrary to the assumption that virality equals ease, the process behind each skit is intensive. “People think you just wear a filter and start shouting,” Lasisi has said in past interviews.

But in practice, he often scraps entire shoots if they don’t meet his standard. Like many successful digital creators, he operates under self-imposed pressure that platforms and audiences rarely see.

This kind of discipline is becoming more relevant as the industry matures. Brands now expect creators to deliver on production quality, storytelling, and alignment, not just numbers. And creators looking for long-term partnerships must be able to articulate not just content ideas, but also strategy.

In this regard, Lasisi’s career offers lessons. His sketches are often layered with subtle social commentary. Oga Pensioner, for instance, isn’t just a funny character. It’s a recurring critique of bureaucracy, social neglect, and the inefficiency embedded in institutions.

Angry Waiter taps into labour dynamics and the often-unspoken frustrations of service work in urban Nigeria.

What separates him isn’t just that he wears many hats; it’s that he’s built systems around wearing them. From character development to audience targeting and platform adaptation, Lasisi’s output shows a mind working both creatively and operationally.

It’s a rare blend in a digital ecosystem that often rewards quantity over quality.

Outside of content creation, his involvement in mentoring younger creators further cements his position as more than just a performer. At workshops like Talent Pass Talent, which he started, he’s known to emphasise process over popularity.

He talks openly about scripting beats, timing edits, and understanding platform algorithms. These are topics that reflect a maturing creator who now sees knowledge-sharing as part of the job. In a sector where gatekeeping is still a challenge, this kind of openness has become a quiet but powerful act.

If the path from creator to creative director is now a viable route in Nigeria, Lasisi’s career helps illustrate what that looks like in practice. He didn’t just go viral; he built a body of work. And more importantly, he built the machinery to sustain it.

As the creator economy tilts toward higher expectations, longer formats, branded series, and cross-platform storytelling, the all-around creative will likely become the norm, not the exception. In that world, Lasisi isn’t just ahead, he’s proof of concept.

https://businessday.ng/bd-weekender/article/from-skits-to-studios-lasisi-elenus-creative-evolution/