African parents inspire most of my comedy — Taooma

Nigerian comedian and actress Maryam Apaokagi, popularly known as Taooma, has revealed that the everyday behaviour of African parents, especially her mother, is the biggest inspiration behind her skits.

Speaking in an interview shared on X, Taooma said many of her comedy ideas come from observing the funny and relatable habits of parents, which she recreates with her own creative twist.

She admitted that although she sometimes experiences creative blocks, she always finds fresh inspiration from real-life family experiences.

The skit maker also said she is intentional about the content she consumes, choosing materials that inspire creativity and contribute positively to her mindset. However, she joked that reading books has never been her strength, adding that she only recently began reading Atomic Habits by James Clear.

Taooma also explained that her popular character, Quadri, was never meant to become a permanent feature in her skits. According to her, the role was initially created for a one-off appearance, but the overwhelming response from fans convinced her to keep the character.

She described Quadri as a typical outspoken Ilorin boy, saying the character reflects the bold and rebellious traits many people associate with young men from Kwara State.

Despite often showcasing different Nigerian characters and cultures in her comedy, Taooma said most of her creative decisions happen naturally rather than through careful planning.