Representations of the Nigerian Police and Policing in Stand-up Comedy: Tracking Embedded Meanings and Implications

Through an analysis of selected stand-up comedy performances by Nigerian comedians-Seyi Law, Okey Bakassi, Gina Yashere, and I Go Dye-this research shows how popular artistes frame police and policing in Nigeria, and what this means for ordinary citizens who encounter the police. Since the beginning of this century, the entertainment industry in Nigeria has blossomed into a socio-cultural force that has inspired other parallels in other African countries especially Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. [...]owing to their talent, positioning, and access, comedians today are believed to have a moral obligation to engage societal issues-to speak the unspeakable. Through an analysis of selected stand-up comedy performances by A-list Nigerian comedians-Seyi Law, Gina Yashere, Okey Bakassi, and I Go Dye - this research shows how artistes frame police and policing in Nigeria, and what it means for ordinary citizens who encounter the police. Established in 1992 as a special police unit to help fight violent crimes in the country, SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) became a nuisance and terror to Nigerians, especially young people.