Chijioke Igwendu

Chijioke Yanbae Igwendu, popularly known as Yanbaba or Odogwu Boo Boo, is a renowned Nigerian comedian, actor, podcaster, and content creator. Born on September 30, 1990, in  Ezi-Abba Village in Abba town of Njikoka L.G.A  in Anambra State, Nigeria, Yanbaba is celebrated for his engaging comedy skits and bold takes on societal issues. His work highlights economic, social, and political challenges in Nigeria, making him a relatable figure among his growing audience. Despite controversies, Yanbaba has solidified his position as a prominent figure in Nigerian comedy and digital entertainment.

Early Life and Family Background

Yanbaba was born into a devout Christian Igbo family in Ezi-Abba Village in Abba town of Njikoka L.G.A  in Anambra State. His father, Late Mr. Godwin Chidume, was a community leader and businessman, while his mother, Late Mrs. Gloria Obiageli  Igwendu, was a teacher known for her advocacy for girl-child education. He grew up as the second of five siblings, with his upbringing rooted in the cultural and entrepreneurial spirit of the Awkacommunity. Yanbaba credits his parents for instilling in him the values of hard work, resilience, and humor, which later shaped his comedic style.

Education

Yanbaba’s educational journey began at Central School in Abba Town, Anambra State, where he completed his primary education. From a young age, he displayed an affinity for humor and performance, often entertaining classmates and teachers with his quick wit and playful nature.

He continued his academic pursuit at Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, one of the most prestigious secondary schools in southeastern Nigeria. There, he gained a reputation for being the class clown, always able to lighten the mood with jokes, impressions, and improvised skits. His natural comedic flair made him a standout among his peers and laid the foundation for his future in entertainment.

After completing his secondary education, Yanbaba went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Abuja. During his time at the university, he became actively involved in extracurricular activities, particularly in the drama and creative arts circles. He wrote and directed short plays, performed in campus shows, and produced digital content that resonated with fellow students. His talent for storytelling and satire began to take a more structured form during this period.

After graduation, Yanbaba fulfilled his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) obligations in Akwa Ibom State, where he further honed his skills in media and entertainment. During his service year, he organized comedy events, hosted youth programs, and began gaining traction on social media with his relatable skits and commentary on societal issues.

This educational and experiential background not only equipped him with business knowledge but also gave him the platform to blend his passion for entertainment with strategic thinking—traits that would later define his unique approach to content creation and online comedy.

Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame

Yanbaba, a Nigerian comedian, started his professional journey in 2017 by creating and posting short skits on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. His content, known for blending satire, observational humor, and real-life struggles, began to gain traction among Nigerian audiences who connected with the rawness and relatability of his storytelling.

His breakthrough came with the development of his widely recognized character “Odogwu Boo Boo”, a loud, stubborn, and overly proud Igbo man who constantly found himself in exaggerated domestic scenarios. The character became a fan favorite for its comic reflection of everyday Nigerian masculinity, complete with flamboyant mannerisms and chaotic punchlines.

Controversial Skits with His Wife

Yanbaba’s content began to draw **massive attention—and criticism—**when he started creating skits featuring himself and his wife in scenes that depicted domestic quarrels, verbal abuse, and chaos. These skits often portrayed his wife as domineering, insulting, or violent, while Yanbaba responded with exaggerated fear, sarcasm, or mockery. While his early comedic career focused on satire and everyday Nigerian life, his content took a controversial turn in 2023 when his personal life became a recurring theme in his videos.

Nature of Content

Yanbaba and his wife began producing highly dramatized skits centered around domestic quarrels, infidelity accusations, shouting matches, and public family confrontations. Their content mimicked real-life marital breakdowns, featuring:

• Verbal abuse and insults (his wife calling him “useless Odogwu” and mocking his masculinity).
• Physical confrontations, including a viral video where she slapped him and threatened to report him to her “rich uncles.”
• Frequent threats of separation and divorce, often ending in melodramatic reconciliations.
• Public display of private family matters, including paternity disputes and DNA tests.

These videos, though presented as skits, were perceived by many as real-life conflicts disguised as content, causing concern about the boundaries between entertainment and reality.

Key Skits and Controversies

1. March 21, 2023 – “Secret Child Saga”
   A woman appeared at their home claiming Yanbaba had a child from a past relationship. His wife filmed the confrontation, sparking speculation about a real-life love child. The skit generated over 1.9 million views.

2. March 27, 2023 – “In-laws Clash”
   A meeting with his wife’s family turned chaotic. His in-laws refused to allow him see his wife and child unless a DNA test was conducted. The event, filmed and posted, further fueled public backlash.

3. April 6, 2023 – “Estate Gift Drama”
   Yanbaba was offered a house on the condition that he and his wife stop airing their drama online. He promised to comply but still uploaded the video, leading fans to accuse him of chasing clout.

4. April 8, 2023 – “Peace Meeting”
   Yanbaba visited his in-laws to reconcile, documenting everything. His in-laws objected to the constant filming, citing cultural disrespect and loss of privacy.

5. May 7, 2023 – “Umuada Intervention”
   The couple appeared before the Umuada (council of married women) to resolve their issues. His wife demanded compensation for her role in his success and claimed most of their property belonged to her. Her comments drew harsh rebukes for challenging traditional Igbo marital norms.

Public and Cultural Reaction

• Critics labeled the couple’s content as toxic, misleading, and a mockery of African marital values.
• Many condemned the couple for turning sacred family issues into monetized entertainment.
• Others defended the skits as satirical social commentary, though the thin line between fact and fiction confused many followers.
• Scholars described their work as a product of “transculturalism”, where Western digital influence erodes traditional Igbo values.

Founding the GBAM Podcast

In the wake of his viral success, Yanbaba and his wife co-founded the GBAM Podcast, a no-holds-barred talk show-style series where they discussed controversial topics such as:

• Gender expectations in Nigerian marriages
• Money struggles between couples
• Abuse and accountability in relationships
• Cheating, control, and submission

The podcast continued the pattern of conflict-centered content, with his wife regularly dominating the narrative, often ridiculing Yanbaba in front of their audience. The podcast format gave them a wider audience but also a louder backlash.

Public Backlash and Criticism

As the GBAM Podcast gained popularity, it also faced heavy criticism:

• Feminist groups and domestic violence advocates condemned the normalization of emotional and physical abuse in their skits and podcast segments.
• Many social media users accused the couple of promoting “toxic entertainment”, claiming they were setting a dangerous precedent for impressionable audiences.
• Others questioned if the abuse was real, disguised as content, or simply exploitative storytelling with no moral boundaries.

Despite the backlash, Yanbaba continued to defend his content as satirical and scripted, insisting that it was meant to reflect real-life issues in a humorous way.

Collaborations and Broader Reach

Despite his share of controversies, Yanbaba has cemented his place as a significant voice in the Nigerian digital comedy space. His strength lies not just in humor, but in using satire to dissect sensitive societal issues such as marital conflict, corruption, morality, and cultural decline. This has earned him both a loyal fanbase and attention from critics.

As his brand grew, Yanbaba leveraged his influence by collaborating with a variety of notable figures, especially from the southeastern region of Nigeria, further expanding his impact beyond solo skits and viral comedy clips.

Notable Collaborations via the GBAM Podcast

The GBAM Podcast, a platform launched by Yanbaba, has played a central role in his career evolution. The podcast blends satire, drama, and social commentary, attracting a wide range of guests from entertainment, academia, religion, and law enforcement. Some of his key collaborations include:

• Chief Imo – A beloved figure in Igbo comedy, Chief Imo has appeared in several podcast episodes where both comedians use relatable humor to address family dynamics, marriage, and societal double standards.

• Chinwe Splendor – A controversial guest whose appearance went viral in 2024. She claimed to have engaged in sexual transactions for grades and real estate favors—a segment that sparked widespread backlash and debates about scripted satire and ethics in content creation.

• Larry Connect – Known for his comedic and musical flair, Larry appeared in a light-hearted episode that balanced humor with industry insights.

• Dr. Chukwudi Michael Okoye – A lecturer from Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), who joined Yanbaba for a serious discussion on the state of tertiary education in Nigeria, particularly student misconduct and lecturer accountability.

• Ugezu J. Ugezu – A veteran Nollywood actor and director, Ugezu provided thought-provoking commentary on culture, entertainment, and the moral compass of society in one of the podcast’s most engaging intellectual episodes.

• Anambra State Police PRO – Featured during a topical discussion on law enforcement and public perception. The episode shed light on community policing and the challenges facing the Nigerian police.

• Reverend Father & Professor of Metaphysics – This episode explored spiritual and philosophical dimensions of morality, drawing parallels between modern behavior and metaphysical teachings.

• Ifeanyi Okoye – A culture enthusiast, he joined the podcast to explore traditional Igbo values and the erosion of identity among Nigerian youths.

• Njideka Nelson – A young woman who brought a personal and emotional angle to the show, sharing real-life stories about relationships, female expectations, and societal judgment.

Personal Life

​In November 2021, Yanbaba proposed to his longtime partner and collaborator, Ofoegbu Queen Ijeoma Francis, popularly known as Aisha, during a live show. The couple’s relationship began in 2018 and has been a recurring theme in many of his comedy skits. They tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on August 25, 2022.​

The couple has since welcomed a son and a daughter, further cementing their bond both on and off-screen. Their relationship is celebrated for its authenticity and relatability to their audience.​

Regarding their children, there have been reports that their second child, a daughter, was born prematurely via cesarean section due to complications during pregnancy. The couple expressed immense joy and gratitude upon her release from the hospital, sharing their happiness with fans and followers.​

Additionally, the names chosen for their children have surprised many, reflecting the couple’s unique approach and personal significance behind the selections. These choices have sparked conversations and admiration among their audience, further highlighting the couple’s distinctive presence in the public eye.

How They Met – A Love Fought For and Won

Aisha’s love story with her husband, Chijioke Igwendu (Yanbaba), is not just romantic—it’s poetic, humorous, and filled with real Nigerian flair. According to Yanbaba himself, their journey began in 2018 after Aisha participated in the “Miss Yanbaba Monthly Contest” and didn’t win. But while she may have lost the contest, she unknowingly captured his heart.

“I first slide into her DM and knack her one line: ‘You may have lost the contest, but you won my heart.’”

At the time, Aisha was based in Katsina, while Yanbaba was “languishing in brokerity” in Uyo, struggling financially. The relationship faced early turbulence—long distance, inconsistent communication, and personal challenges. He described it as running like “an old 911” and “free will like the head of a frustrated ceiling fan.” Eventually, they stopped talking altogether—for nearly two years.

But love, as they say, is persistent.

In 2020, Yanbaba decided to give it another shot. However, Aisha revealed that she was considering someone else—someone more financially stable whom she hadn’t met yet due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Faced with the threat of losing her, Yanbaba poured his heart out:

“She calls me ‘Onye Nwe m’ (my owner)—that name sends not just butterflies but eagles, nwa nza, doves, and ichoku down my spine.”

Unable to walk away, he made a heartfelt, metaphorical appeal—one that only he could deliver with his signature blend of humor and sincerity:

“My Queen, imagine your heart as a federal constituency. The two of us are candidates vying to take care of your heart. Please give us equal opportunity. Listen to our manifestos. Observe our actions, inactions, and intentions. Look at our CVs and past hearts (federal constituencies) we’ve handled before. After three months, make your choice.”

Aisha did. And she chose him.

“I’m the proud senator representing Ijeoma Queen Aisha Ofoegbu Federal Heart Constituency. I will not be doing one term or two—I’ll be there forever. This federal heart is taken!”

Their story is a testament to persistence, humor, emotional honesty, and a little bit of “sweet mouth.” It’s a modern-day romance layered with African metaphor, resilience, and an understanding of what true love means—fighting for it when it matters.

Controversies

Yanbaba’s career has not been without challenges. In June 2024, he faced backlash following an interview on his podcast, Gbam, with guest Chinwe Splendor. During the episode, Splendor claimed to have engaged in sexual activities with lecturers for grades and with real estate executives for favors. The podcast went viral, sparking outrage from the public.

Podcast Scandal with Chinwe Splendor

In June 2024, Yanbaba came under intense public scrutiny after airing a controversial episode on his podcast, “Gbam”, which featured a guest identified as Chinwe Splendor. During the episode, Chinwe made startling confessions, claiming she had exchanged sexual favors for academic grades from university lecturers and also admitted to sleeping with real estate executives in exchange for career advantages.

The video clip quickly went viral across social media platforms, drawing harsh criticism from the public, academia, and real estate professionals. Many accused the podcast of promoting moral decay, glorifying transactional sex, and painting the Nigerian academic and real estate industries in a bad light.

Loss of Brand Endorsements

As a direct consequence of the public outcry, Pool King Global, a leading real estate firm that had earlier signed Yanbaba as a brand ambassador, terminated his contract. The company distanced itself from the podcast episode, citing that the content clashed with their brand values and public image.

Clarification & Damage Control

In response to the backlash, Yanbaba took to social media to clarify that the podcast episode was scripted and dramatized, intending to raise awareness about societal rot, particularly in the education and property sectors. He emphasized that Chinwe Splendor was acting, and her story was fictional, crafted to provoke necessary public conversation.

Despite his clarification, the damage had already been done, with many Nigerians remaining skeptical of his intent. Some critics accused him of blurring the line between satire and misinformation, especially since the content was not explicitly marked as dramatization.

 Legal Issues & Police Involvement

The controversy deepened when the Anambra Real Estate Developers Association filed a formal petition with the Nigerian Police Force, citing defamation and reputational damage. As a result:

• Yanbaba was arrested and detained by officers in Anambra State.
• He was interrogated and asked to produce Chinwe Splendor for further investigation.
• The police investigation aimed to determine whether the podcast was fictional or whether actual individuals were implicated.

This incident sparked widespread debates about:

• Freedom of expression vs. responsible content creation
• The boundaries of satire in Nigeria’s moral and legal landscape
• The legal liabilities of social media content creators

Legacy and Influence

Yanbaba’s legacy lies in his ability to blend humor with education, making complex societal issues accessible to the public. He continues to inspire young Nigerians to pursue creative careers, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and resilience in the entertainment industry.

Conclusion

Chijioke Yanbae Igwendu, known as Yanbaba, has risen from humble beginnings in Nnewi to become one of Nigeria’s most celebrated comedians. Despite controversies, his work as a comedian, actor, and content creator continues to entertain, educate, and provoke meaningful discussions about Nigerian society. His story is a testament to the power of creativity and determination in achieving success. Yanbaba’s skits with his wife became a national spectacle that blurred the lines between performance and personal life. By turning domestic crisis into content, the couple sparked a cultural conversation about marriage, media ethics, and the role of social media in reshaping African values.

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