The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) is leading a coordinated celebration of the 2026 World Theatre Day (WTD) across the country on March 27.
In his World Theatre Day message, NANTAP President, Makinde Adeniran, while stating that this year’s WTD is being marked in Nigeria under the theme, ‘Theatre: A Culture of Peace’, underscored the vital role of Theatre in peace building and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen the structures that empower the Theatre to deliver its roles, particularly the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
Preparations are at very advanced stages across the country as the Nigerian Theatre community gets set to commemorate the all-important day in the global Theatre calendar.
In Lagos, the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture in collaboration with NANTAP, is hosting the World Theatre Day Advocacy focused on the topic: ‘Reinventing Theatre for National and International Conflict Resolution and Peace Building’.
The event, billed to hold at Glover Memorial Hall, Custom Road, by 12noon on March 27, would feature a Keynote Address by Professor Duro Oni, fta. Panelists include Mr. Idris Aregbe (Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture), Mr. Olarenwaju Bajulaiye (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy), Professor Tunji Azeez, fta (President, Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists) and Mr. Makinde Adeniran, fta (President, NANTAP). Others are Mrs. Tola Akerele (GM, Ntional Theatre), Dr. Banwo Adetoro (Head, Chinese Unit, University of Lagos and Senior Reseacher, China-Africa Institute, Beijing) and Mrs. Titilayo Akinmoyo-Kaaku, fta (Chairman, NANTAP, Lagos State Chapter).
The advocacy event would lead to the performance of the play, ‘Erelu Kuti’ by 3pm, ushering in an evening of variety shows from 6pm.
Also in Lagos, Freedom Park, NANTAP, Guild of Theatre Directors (GTD) and AMTA would be hosting a symposium on the theme: Theatre and and a Culture of Peace. Slated for 11: AM, it would feature drama and dance performances, play reading sessions and unveiling of the GTD programs.
Similarly, the Department of Performing Arts, Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) would host the 12th AKSU Season of Performances running from March 23 and concluding with the WTD performance on March 27.
The FCT Abuja Chapter of NANTAP would be marking WTD 2026 with the maiden Abuja Performing Arts Summit (APAS) billed to start from 9:30am on March 27, at the FCT City Library, Gwari Street, Wuse Zone 4. The landmark event which focuses on ‘Charting New Paths: Strengthening the Performing Arts Ecosystem in the FCT’ shall feature a performance by renowned poet, Dike Chukwumerije of Simply Poetry Foundation.
Also featuring three Panel Sessions, the first Session shall look at ‘Creative Collaborations & Festival Ecosystems in the FCT. Panelists include Bukunmi Olukibiti of Heart Heartis, Abuja; Philip Agbese Jnr of CAVIC Festival of Arts & Technology; Victor Nwejinaka of Blackbone Theatre and Esther Adelana of National Theatre as Moderator.
The second Panel Session shall interrogate ‘Funding the Arts: Government, Grants and Private Sector Involvement’. Panelists include Mr. Chidi Ukwu of 2MG Theatre; Mr. Dotun Osunsanya, BOT Member of NANTAP; Jemima Angulu of Krump Studios, Abuja and Oluwaseun Odukoya, fta, Deputy President of NANTAP, as Moderator.
The third Panel Session shall beam the lights on ‘Spaces for Expression and the Future of Performance’. Panelists include Princess Uvie of Uvie Theatre Productions, Lola Omoboriowo, Proprietor of Whisper Art Haus; Sola Oyeniyi, an independent Theatre Director and Pope Ebguche as the Moderator.
The Warri Chapel, Delta State Chapter of NANTAP, is also set to mark the World Theatre Day with a variety of performances at Enerhen Junction, Warri, from 5pm.
Theatre lovers, arts and culture stakeholders and the general public are cordially invited to be part of the foregoing programs.
