​Mallam Yankee: ‘My Greatest Legacy Is the Stars I Helped Build’

Kehinde Adegbite (Music Promoter and Entrepreneur)

 LAGOS — Veteran entertainment entrepreneur and promoter Kehinde Adegbite, widely known as Mallam Yankee, has stated that his proudest achievement after three decades in Nigeria’s entertainment industry is the roster of talent he has discovered and nurtured.

Speaking with Entertainment Plus ahead of events marking his 30th anniversary in showbiz, Mallam Yankee traced his industry roots back to the golden era of the Plantashun Boiz. He described his career as a testament to resilience, strategic relationships, and a commitment to uplifting others.

In tandem with the milestone anniversary, the veteran promoter also confirmed his appointment as the official manager of music icon Innocent "2Baba" Idibia.

“Yes, I can confirm that I am now the official manager of 2Face Idibia. But our story did not begin today. It began in the golden era of Plantashun Boiz,” he said.

“We grew in the same era, watched the industry evolve together, and that bond has endured the test of time.”

For Mallam Yankee, career success has always been defined by lifting others up rather than chasing individual spotlight.

“Success means little if you cannot point to lives you have lifted. Your greatest achievement is not how high you rise, but how many people rise because you believed in them,” he added.

“Many of Nigeria’s biggest stars crossed my path long before the spotlight found them. Some I managed, others I supported, and for many, I simply created the platform they needed to be seen. Watching them blossom has become one of the greatest rewards of my journey.”

He credited the platforms he pioneered during the foundational stages of their careers with helping launch prominent industry figures, including D’banj, Wande Coal, M.I Abaga, Kizz Daniel, Tekno, and Portable, alongside several top-tier comedians.

“When I look at artistes like D’banj, Tekno, Wande Coal, Portable, Kizz Daniel, MI and many others, including several comedians, I feel fulfilled. I thank God that they stayed the course and never forgot those who stood by them when the journey was only beginning.”

Often revered as the "Jagaban of Entertainment," Mallam Yankee also underscored his extensive behind-the-scenes contributions to the industry. Notably, he recalled taking over the management and promotion of Opa Williams' iconic comedy franchise, “Nite of a Thousand Laughs,” successfully steering the brand as it served as a vital launchpad for Nigeria's premier comedians.

He also spoke about his role in shaping Abuja’s nightlife. “When we arrived in the year 2000, Abuja slept early. There was hardly a nightlife to speak of. We dared to dream differently,” he said.

He noted that his operations subsequently expanded to Owerri, Port Harcourt, and other major hubs, contributing significantly to the growth of Nigeria’s creative economy. 

Additionally, Mallam Yankee cited the revitalization of the Abuja International Carnival—which was strategically rebranded in 2024 in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy—as the realization of a long-term vision. Moving forward, the veteran promoter stated that his immediate executive priority is steering the career of music icon 2Baba.

“2Baba is more than a music legend; he is the greatest musical icon to have come out of Africa. He is a timeless institution. What has kept us together is not just business but mutual respect, loyalty and genuine friendship,” he said.He promised a busy end to the year with several projects and events lined up for entertainment lovers.