Francis Agoda was born
on 4 April 1979 in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. He is popularly
referred to by his stage name ‘I GO DYE’. He followed his passion, developing
his comedy artistry, at a time when the comedy business was not trending as a career.
However, he continued to pursue comedy, until he was invited to join the Press
Literary Art Drama Debating Society (PLADDS). He soon became PLADD's Programme
Director.
‘I go dye’ received a
contract to perform in the first comedy club in Nigeria, where he was paid one
thousand naira per show. He gained popularity on media stations. On
one occasion, when he performed at the University Of Benin, he met Baba
Kome, who took him to meet Opa Williams the organizer of “Nite of A
Thousand Laugh”. Williams signed him to perform in the forthcoming “Nite
of a Thousand Laughs 2000”. Subsequently, he was also invited to perform at the
REEL Award and the AMEN Award of 2000. Opa Williams after many years of
outstanding performanances named “I Go Dye” the best /most outstanding comedian
that featured in the show.
Over the years his
performances earned him a place in Nigeria's comedy industry. He became a
sought-after comedian by events promoters in Europe. I Go Dye completed his
first European tour with Ehizoya Golden Entertainment, later with The Nigerians
in Diaspora Organization of Europe (NIDOE)-France and also performed
during the UNESCO Cultural Week.
He has being featured
in MTV Africa Music Awards. He has also performed in opening and
closing shows of various notable musicians, including Akon, Boyz II
Men, 50-Cent, Rick Ross, The Game, and Kelly Rowland. He has received various awards which include:
African Best Comedian, The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation of Europe-SPAIN
Award for his contribution to Nigerian culture and art, The Nigeria Best
Comedian Award (NEA AWARD). The National Comedy Award (NCA).
He is a United Nations
millennium development goals ambassador, he has series of investments that
certified him as an enterprising business man. He has a real estate, property
and road construction company. He also has a bottling water company. His net
worth is estimated to about 2 billion naira. He is one of the most enterprising
comedians in the industry today.