Kevin Arua, popularly known for his comic persona Governor Amuneke, has amassed 433,000 followers on Instagram.
In this interview, he shares his journey into content creation, the inspiration behind his work, and how he uses comedy to highlight social issues.
Arua attended Christ the King Primary School in Ovoko, Enugu State, and later Ovoko Boys Secondary School, completing his secondary education at UNICEF Secondary School.
He earned a National Diploma in Science Laboratory Technology and a Higher National Diploma in Physics Electronics from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu.
Early Interests and Start in Social Media
Arua says he was always drawn to science, invention, and performance.
In secondary school, he enjoyed acting and entertaining at school assemblies, later becoming Director of Socials at IMT.
During his studies, he sold his paintings on the streets to support himself.
After NYSC in Ibadan, he joined a cinematography and video editing programme and secured his first media job in Lagos.
There, he honed skills in camerawork, editing, and scriptwriting, while creating the comedy series Oga Landlord on YouTube.
When company funding ended, he focused on his own projects, balancing weekend shoots with a 9–5 job.
The Birth of Governor Amuneke
Arua’s first major comic character was Chief Amuneke, created in 2018–2019.
He initially grew his Facebook page before transitioning to Instagram.
A viral repost by Tunde Ednut marked a turning point, convincing him to pursue content creation seriously.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he fully committed to online content, monetizing his platforms by 2021.
Arua describes his motivation as partly divine. A personal experience at his wedding in Nsukka, where friends couldn’t attend due to insecurity, made him rethink his platform’s purpose.
He realized comedy could not only entertain but also raise awareness.
“I started creating skits where leaders downplay serious issues, like confusing citizens for ‘senior citizens’, to mirror real situations in Nigeria and Africa,” he explains.
His rebranded persona, Governor Amuneke, uses humor to highlight leadership failures, corruption, and governance challenges.
Audience Engagement and Challenges
Political and governance-related content resonates most with his audience.
He says he has faced minimal challenges thanks to his self-taught production skills and supportive team. Collaboration, he adds, is crucial for reaching new audiences and amplifying messages.
“My goal is to open people’s eyes to what’s really happening in government; to act as a kind of watchdog,” Arua says.
He emphasizes that his content highlights accountability, empathy, and real-life issues while keeping humor at the forefront.
Family, Recognition, and Career Growth
Arua’s family supports his career, appreciating his responsible approach to comedy.
He finds the greatest reward in audience feedback rather than monetary gain.
Looking ahead, he hopes to expand internationally, producing films for platforms like Netflix and collaborating with global creators.
“Start with what you have and stay original. Don’t wait for perfection. Build relationships, maintain a clean reputation, and remain consistent.”
Outside of content creation, Arua enjoys spending time with family and friends, gaming, and brainstorming ideas. Despite growing popularity, he maintains a grounded approach, valuing authenticity over fame.
