“Abati Oldtaker” Episode 1 Review: A Wealth-Flaunting Comedy Series Built on Confrontation and Repetition

Abati Oldtaker Episode 1 sits comfortably within a strand of Nigerian comedy built around the “big boy” character: loud, eager to display his money, and quick to confront anyone who questions him. The episode does not try to move away from that familiar idea. Instead, it builds almost entirely around it, producing a comedy likely […]

Abati Oldtaker Episode 1 sits comfortably within a strand of Nigerian comedy built around the “big boy” character: loud, eager to display his money, and quick to confront anyone who questions him. The episode does not try to move away from that familiar idea. Instead, it builds almost entirely around it, producing a comedy likely to appeal more to viewers already familiar with the format.

The plot serves mainly as a reason to move Oldtaker from one confrontation to another. His decisions, from spending millions on a customised number plate to buying an N11 million television simply to prove a point, are deliberately excessive. They reflect the use of money to command attention, assert status, and settle disputes. The series understands this dynamic well, and that’s arguably its strength. The bribery scene involving law enforcement and the arguments over rent and respect at home both show money being used as a source of influence, though the situations are exaggerated for comedy, even if the execution is turned up to a cartoonish degree.

Abati Abidemi Adeotan, also known online as Abatiade, plays Oldtaker as the centre of the episode. His confrontations with the other characters provide much of the comedy, particularly during the disputes in the house. The exchanges are quick, and the arguments between Oldtaker and his housemates produce some of the episode’s stronger scenes.

The episode, however, runs into a structural problem common to films and series built around a single dominant character. Oldtaker provokes someone, the person responds, and he answers with money or threats. The household dispute, the bribery scene, and his later disagreement with his allies all follow much the same pattern, with each confrontation becoming more aggressive than the last. Viewers looking for more variety may find the second half less engaging.

The supporting characters are also given little room beyond their conflicts with Oldtaker. Most are written mainly as people for him to argue with or overpower, which helps maintain the central joke but gives the episode little variety outside its lead character.

Abati Oldtaker is a loud comedy centred on money, ego, and confrontation. Episode 1 follows a familiar style of Nigerian comedy series and largely stays within those boundaries. Viewers who enjoy that kind of humour may find something in it, while those looking for a more restrained or layered comedy may be less convinced.