I just came out of a brilliant meeting with three of the most brilliant and well-regarded female academicians in Nigerian theatre
Led by the very influential Dr Adenuga, the women, in less than 30 minutes, encapsulated the challenges faced by female directors in theatre.
But even in their state, they still painted a positive outlook and a wonderfully brilliant kaleidoscope of colours that is today’s Nigerian theatrical odyssey
We have decided for our 2026 season to work with an all-female directorial faculty
So six major plays with a combined budget in excess of N240m all directed by these female directors who will be chosen from the academia from the six geo-political regions of the country into Lagos
We are limiting it to academia for now to reduce lag time in getting works that can withstand the rigours of intellectual scrutiny
Another reason is my soft spot for the academia. I have a more than passing interest and admiration for academics and love nothing more than engaging them.
Today was another exciting session. I heard terminologies and visions all detailing a pedigree laced with momentous talents from this women
We will avail these women of one of the largest privately run theatre platforms in Africa for them to unfurl their wings and fly.
Six massive productions running through the year with female directors complemented by a female production cell.
From the Executive Producer to the Production Manager, Stage Managers will all be female.
One of the six plays would be an all-female cast and crew, and this would lead to mouth-opening excitement in the halls.
The six directors are Professors and PhD cadre with long academic records and an eagerness to explode on the commercial level and make history.
2026 will be the year of female empowerment in Nigerian theatre.
We will finally be moving away from mouthing clichés about the limitations of women in the theatrical space to put them firmly in the driving seat in a way that has never been done ever before.
Make way for these women, they mean business.
Duke of Shomolu