I’m moving from entertaining people to building them — Helen Paul

Comedian, actress and academic, Helen Paul, has said she wants to build a legacy that goes beyond entertainment by creating platforms and educational opportunities for others.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday Scoop, she said her next phase of life and career would focus on building educational systems, creating opportunities for people and making lasting contributions to society.

“The next version is Helen Paul the builder. Building platforms for other people. Building educational systems,” she said.

Paul, popularly known for her comic character, Tatafo, said she had never wanted to be restricted to comedy, noting that her creative abilities extended to writing, teaching and academic work.

According to her, comedy remains a gift that has helped her connect with people, but she believes that individuals can have multiple talents and should be willing to explore them.

She said, “Comedy is a gift God gave me to connect with people, but God put many gifts inside one person. I did not want to limit what God can do through me to only one expression.”

Paul, who has also built a career in academia, said her experience in education had influenced her approach to entertainment, while her performance experience had helped her become a more engaging teacher.

Reflecting on her decision to pursue further education despite her fame, she said obtaining her PhD was one of the decisions she was grateful for, despite criticism from people who questioned the need for it.

Paul also identified writing, particularly children’s stories and academic publications, as aspects of her creativity she believes many Nigerians have yet to fully discover.

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Speaking on her experience of living and working outside Nigeria, Paul said it taught her discipline, structure and the importance of presenting Nigerian creativity to a global audience.

She also stressed the importance of balancing public life with personal relationships, saying she had learnt to establish boundaries between her public identity and private life.

She added that she had become more intentional about the opportunities she accepted, explaining that she now considers whether they align with her values as a mother, educator and woman of faith.

On the challenges facing young creatives, she warned against prioritising instant fame over personal development, professional discipline and the mastery of their craft.

“Talent can take you to the top, but only character will keep you there. Some people need to learn patience, process, and professionalism,” she said.

According to her, young performers should continue to develop their ability to write full stories, rehearse and sustain audiences’ attention during live performances.

Paul further described teaching as a source of fulfilment, explaining that while performing allowed her to entertain audiences, teaching gave her the opportunity to contribute to people’s long-term development.

She said, “When I perform, I make people laugh for a moment and I feel good immediately. When I teach, I help someone build a life. Teaching allows me to see the seed grow.”

She however said if she had to start her career again without a name, audience or connections, she would focus on developing her skills, serving mentors and remaining consistent.