“Aki and Pawpaw Were Not Really Funny, Their Height Made Them Famous” – Prof Gehgeh Sparks Controversy with Bold Claim

The Nigerian entertainment space has once again been set on fire, and this time it is not from a new movie release, a hit single, or a scandal involving one of Nollywood’s most celebrated faces. Instead, it comes from the unfiltered words of Professor Gehgeh, a controversial public commentator known for his blunt and often provocative takes on pop culture. In his latest statement, Prof Gehgeh has stirred a heated storm by declaring that Nollywood legends Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme, popularly known as Aki and Pawpaw, were never truly funny and that their fame was built solely on their height rather than raw comedic talent.

According to the outspoken commentator, Nigerians and indeed the global audience did not gravitate towards the duo’s films because of any outstanding wit, dialogue, or performance, but because their small stature made them peculiar in an industry dominated by actors of average build. “If you remove their height from the equation, what exactly did they bring to the screen that was different from many others?” he asked rhetorically during a live session that quickly went viral. “The truth is Aki and Pawpaw were not really funny. It was their physical size that made people pay attention. Nigerians laughed not at the jokes, but at the image of two grown men playing childlike roles.”

As expected, the remark has divided fans and critics alike, with some agreeing with the professor’s stance while others are fiercely defending the legacy of the iconic Nollywood stars who dominated the industry in the early 2000s. For many Nigerians, Aki and Pawpaw were not just entertainers but cultural symbols who brought laughter into homes at a time when Nollywood comedy was still carving its identity. Movies like Aki na Ukwa, Tom and Jerry, Back from America, and countless others cemented their place in the hearts of millions across Africa and beyond. To say their success was purely a matter of physical stature, to some fans, is to erase the hard work, timing, and acting brilliance that sustained their careers for decades.

Yet, despite the outrage, Prof Gehgeh’s statement has also found support among a section of critics who argue that the duo’s comedic presence was indeed tied to their unique body frame. They claim that many of the scripts they starred in were written specifically to exaggerate their small size and create humorous scenarios from the contrast of adult behavior with childlike appearances. In their view, this pattern typecast Aki and Pawpaw, making it hard to assess their comedy outside of the physical gimmick. “Let’s be honest,” one critic echoed online, “after a while the jokes became predictable. Their characters were often mischievous kids, stubborn brothers, or comic relief sidekicks. It worked, but was it genius comedy or just visual spectacle?”

Social media has since become the battlefield where fans, critics, and industry insiders are clashing over the hot take. On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags such as #AkiAndPawpaw and #ProfGehgeh began trending within hours of the statement. Many users shared nostalgic clips of the duo’s movies to remind everyone of the infectious laughter they brought to audiences. Others, however, uploaded snippets where the humor was less about dialogue and more about the incongruity of their physicality, lending some weight to the professor’s controversial observation. Memes have also flooded the internet, with some users joking that even the professor is trending today not because of his wisdom, but because of his “verbal height”—a subtle dig suggesting that shock value, just like physical uniqueness, drives attention.

Industry colleagues have also begun weighing in on the matter. A veteran Nollywood director anonymously told reporters that while Gehgeh’s comments were harsh, they were not entirely baseless. He admitted that Nollywood producers in the early 2000s intentionally wrote roles that capitalized on the duo’s stature. “It was what sold tickets,” he explained. “The industry was business-oriented, and when people laughed, filmmakers delivered more of what worked. It doesn’t mean Aki and Pawpaw weren’t talented—it simply means their uniqueness opened a lane that others couldn’t easily walk into.”

Meanwhile, younger comedians and skit makers, many of whom grew up watching the duo, have spoken out in their defense. Popular Instagram comedian Lasisi Elenu described the comment as disrespectful, emphasizing that comedy is not limited to verbal jokes but includes timing, facial expression, and character immersion. “These men shaped how we view Nollywood comedy. They gave us unforgettable lines, reactions, and moments that still trend decades later. You cannot tell me that is just height; that is talent,” he argued.

The controversy has also reignited a wider conversation about what makes comedians or comedic actors successful in Nigeria. In a country where comedy is often infused with cultural stereotypes, exaggerated mannerisms, and physical quirks, many stars have risen by leveraging a distinct characteristic—whether it is a stammer, a dramatic walk, or a peculiar accent. Some observers now ask whether it is fair to single out Aki and Pawpaw when the entertainment industry itself has always rewarded “difference” as a form of comedy.

Still, there are those who see Gehgeh’s statement as an intentional ploy to court attention rather than a serious critique. Known for his unfiltered takes, the professor has previously sparked outrage by criticizing Nigerian music stars, influencers, and even politicians, often using hyperbolic language to make his points. His defenders argue that he forces society to confront uncomfortable truths, while his detractors accuse him of diminishing legacies with careless remarks.

For Aki and Pawpaw themselves, silence remains the current response. Neither Chinedu Ikedieze nor Osita Iheme has publicly addressed Gehgeh’s claim, though fans are eagerly awaiting a reaction. Given their playful nature, many speculate that if they do respond, it might be with humor rather than anger. After all, the two men have spent most of their careers defying expectations, turning what others might have viewed as a limitation into a platform for success. Their impact is not limited to Nollywood either; they are widely recognized across Africa, and clips from their old movies continue to dominate TikTok and meme culture worldwide, proving their lasting influence.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Gehgeh’s statement has done little to diminish the admiration and love many Nigerians still hold for Aki and Pawpaw. Whether or not their fame was tied to their height, it is undeniable that they became cultural icons who brought joy to millions and paved the way for future generations of entertainers to embrace their uniqueness unapologetically. Comedy, after all, is subjective, and what makes one person laugh might not tickle another. To dismiss their work as mere physical spectacle would be to ignore the countless hours of acting, scripting, and storytelling that turned them into household names.

In the end, Prof Gehgeh’s words may have sparked a heated conversation, but the legacy of Aki and Pawpaw remains untouchable in the eyes of many. They are more than just their height; they are symbols of resilience, talent, and cultural pride. Their films continue to stand as proof that laughter, no matter its source, can create legends.