What are your educational qualifications? I attended the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations. I am also currently pursuing my Master’s degree at Osun State University. When did you start using social media? If we are talking about social media in general, I have been using it since the days of 2go (a messaging app). So, it’s actually been a while. However, in terms of content creation, I started in 2015. Why did you choose being a prankster as your form of content creation? If I say I always wanted to do pranks, I wouldn’t be telling the full truth. I have role models whose contents inspired me. When I watched their videos, I fell in love with what they did, but I also wanted to do it in my own unique way. That’s how I developed my style of playing pranks on people. One of my role models is Z Fancy, whose contents I enjoy watching. What year did you complete your national youth service? I started in 2018 and completed my service in 2019. Where were you posted to? I was originally posted to Borno State, but we camped in Katsina State. However, I had to redeploy to Lagos State, where I eventually completed my 12-month service. How would you describe the experience? It was quite interesting, especially because I had the opportunity to partake in the 2018 general elections. What are the significant changes you’ve observed in the scheme between your time and now? The only noticeable change is the monetary aspect. During our time, we received a monthly allowance of N19,800, whereas corps members now receive N33,600. That’s the only major difference I can point out. How do you come up with new prank ideas? The whole idea of my Corper prank started during NYSC camp. Although I had been creating content before then, my interest in comedy became more serious during my time in the SAED programme, where I joined the photography and cinematography group. One day at the Mami market (a place where youth corps members and officials buy things), a friend dared me to use my meal ticket to get free food from a vendor. That ticket was usually meant for the specialised kitchen in NYSC camp. I took the challenge, and it was all fun. That’s how the whole prank idea came about, and I built on it to create more contents. What challenges do you face while pulling off your pranks? When I first started, the biggest challenge was dealing with the “egbon adugbos”—people who feel entitled to money for allowing me to shoot in their area, even when they are not part of the content. Another challenge is that my brand has become widely recognised. People know that I don’t stage my pranks, so they anticipate real reactions. However, excessive fan interference is now a major issue. Whenever I am about to shoot, fans might shout, “Corper! Corper! It’s a prank”, and that makes it very difficult to execute my content. What is the hardest prank you’ve ever pulled? The most challenging prank I’ve done was on Portable, the sensational music artiste. I attempted a prank where I would take a drink or meal, then claim that it wasn’t what I ordered. I went to his Odogwu bar multiple times before I could successfully pull it off. The first time, he wasn’t around. The second time, there was loud music. The third time, there were too many people, and I didn’t want to risk causing trouble. On the fourth attempt, I finally got the right setting. That was also the first time I had to take alcohol to boost my courage because of Portable’s reputation. People had even warned me not to go there because they believed that he could get violent. But to my surprise, when the prank started, he told his boys to bring out his phone and record the whole thing. If not for that, I wouldn’t have had anything to show because my cameraman was too scared and stood far away. Portable was surprised and asked, “Ahn ah, see this guy. Oya, come here!” He then started asking me questions. That prank ended up giving me massive exposure as he and several bloggers posted it online. Have you ever abandoned a prank because it didn’t go well? Yes. For every prank, we anticipate a certain reaction. If we don’t get the expected response, we stop. Some people hesitate to react because of the NYSC uniform, thinking I might actually be right. If the prank isn’t getting the energy we want, we let it go. Are there certain pranks you avoid doing? Yes, I have my personal boundaries. I also consider the reactions of the people involved, their safety, and the setting before executing a prank. Have you faced any criticism for your pranks? Yes, of course. We are Nigerians, Africans and human beings; criticism is inevitable. For example, one time, I prostrated myself while giving someone money, and people criticised me, saying I shouldn’t have prostrated myself when I was the one giving money. No matter what you do, people will always have something to say. However, I focus on the 99 per cent of positive feedback rather than the few negative ones. How do you handle negative feedback? I check the profile of the person giving the criticism. If they seem reasonable or elderly, I respond and explain my perspective. People see things differently. What I see as a number 9, might seem to another person as number 6. If the person is worth responding to, I would reply. Otherwise, I would ignore them. Have you ever dealt with serious consequences, such as legal issues? No, because consent is very important in what I do. I always reveal the prank afterward and get the person’s permission before posting the content. That way, I avoid legal troubles. Have you ever faced unexpected challenges, like people also trying to play pranks on you? I always say that nobody can play a prank me unless I decide to play along. I have been doing this for so long that it’s almost impossible to trick me. What are some misconceptions about pranksters? Some people perceive pranksters as nuisances, and I understand why. Even I sometimes watch some pranks and ask myself, “Would I want someone to do this to my loved ones?” There are pranksters who go too far, making people view us in a negative light. Do you ever feel guilty after a prank? Not guilty, but sometimes emotional. It is important to know when to stop so things don’t go too far. If I notice that someone is getting really upset, I stop immediately. How do you choose who to play pranks on? I follow my four Ws— what am I “pranking” about?, who am I “pranking”?, where am I “pranking”?, and when should I “prank”? I also avoid playing pranks on minors, as well as ensure that the location is safe. For example, I don’t play pranks in open markets, or places that are believed to be violent. Also, I take time to observe the mood of the place. There was a time I went to shoot content in a place and all of a sudden, some louts gathered around. I had to inquire what was happening, and I was informed that there had been a riot there earlier in the morning, and I went in the afternoon. Obviously, some people thought that my presence there was connected to the riot. So, I had to leave. What do you want your audience to take away from your pranks? My primary goal is to spread joy, laughter and positivity. Life can be stressful, and I want my contents to be a source of relief. I also aim to show kindness and uplift people. Aside from playing pranks on people, what else do you do? I am a content creator, influencer, brand ambassador, actor, master of ceremonies, and businessman. What message do you have for your fans? I want to thank everyone who supports my content by watching, liking, commenting and sharing. To my sponsors who believe in me and use my contents to impact lives, I appreciate you all. My vision is to create content that not only entertain but also inspire people. Thank you!