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Writes Shingirai Manyengavana
Nigel Maritinyu, also known as Nijo, is a devoted child of God, a loving husband, and a dedicated father. He is a comedian, digital content creator, and entrepreneur who is using his comic talents to bring joy to audiences worldwide.
Nijo is set to perform at his All in One Stand Up Comedy Tour, scheduled for the 22nd of March 2024 at Reps Theatre in Harare. The tour will then continue across Dubai, Dallas, Texas, Durban, and Scotland.
His journey began with sharing short videos among friends and his church community.
In April 2017, he started creating social media skits that quickly gained popularity, paving the way for his foray into stand-up comedy in 2021.
‘’I started by making short videos just to share with my friends and church community. The interest grew with each day as well as the audience, one thing led to the next and I found myself taking it seriously and consistently,’’ said Nijo
While Nijo’s comedic prowess is undeniable, his journey is filled with diverse experiences that have shaped him both on and off the stage.
‘’On stage, I’ve had amazing opportunities. I hosted a big comedy show of King Kandoro with over 2,000 people, made my debut in Birmingham in September 2023, and did an interlude performance for Zimpraise at the HICC.
“Off stage, I am an electronic engineer by profession, and I once worked in a textile factory in Dubai for about 5 months,’’ added Nijo.
Drawing inspiration from day-to-day experiences and keen social observations highlighted that he skillfully weaves relatable content into his sets.
‘’A lot of times I get thoughts and inspiration from day-to-day experiences, jot the notes down in my phone and later sit down to develop it and incorporate in my sets,’’ highlighted Nijo
Whether performing as the host at comedy specials, entertaining crowds of thousands, or delivering interlude performances for renowned events like Zimpraise at the HICC, Nijo brings an intimate and relatable experience to his audience.
‘’I try by all means to make the experience intimate and make everyone in the room feel like I’m talking to just them. I try to make the content as relatable as possible to what they know and experience. I also study the environment and the crowd and try to raise their energy to a place where they’ll enjoy,’’ added Nijo.
In addition to his comic pursuits, he holds firm to his faith and values. He encourages aspiring comedians to stay true to themselves.
‘’Be authentic. Learn as much as you can from those who are doing better than you. Take one day at a time and trust Jesus, said Nijo