The comedian reveals a lasting effect of his 2015 operation and breaks down in tears over friends who walked away during his illness.

Nigerian comedian and actor Julius Agwu has spoken about a side effect of his 2015 brain surgery that he rarely discusses.

He shared it on the Beer Parlour Talk Show, in an episode posted on Saturday. During the chat, the host asked whether the surgery had affected other parts of his body. Agwu said it left him unable to function sexually.

Other guests on the programme, including a man identified as Mr Patrick, talked through how a nerve linked to the brain could be involved in such a procedure. They appeared to connect the problem to nerve damage. The report does not include any medical confirmation of this.

Agwu had the surgery in the United States in 2015, after doctors found three tumours in his brain. One of them was reportedly as large as a golf ball. He has spoken publicly about his health battle before, and about how it changed his life and career.

Later in the episode, he reflected on his place in Nigerian comedy. He said he started music comedy in the country, and he joked that this shows how his mind works.

Then he broke down in tears. Looking back on his career, he spoke of feeling betrayed and abandoned. He said many of his friends deserted him and stopped talking to him during his ordeal. He ended on a calm note, saying that all is well.

Agwu remains one of Nigeria’s best-known comedians. He is known for mixing music with comedy on stage and for his work in Nollywood.