Prominent Nigerian figures, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former Cross River Governor Donald Duke, and Channels Television Chairman John Momoh, have highlighted the urgent need to revive Nigeria’s theater industry. During an event promoting the upcoming Lagos International Theater Festival (LITF), which will be held from November 14 to 17, Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of supporting the arts to create economic opportunities, particularly for Nigeria’s youth. He noted that a thriving theater industry could significantly boost Nigeria’s global image and generate jobs and revenue.
Donald Duke added that, given Nigeria’s status as a hub for the global film industry, Lagos deserves strong cultural leadership to fully harness this potential. Bolanle Austen-Peters, founder of the LITF, also pointed out that the festival could create thousands of jobs for young Nigerians and provide a platform for cultural exchange. The festival is expected to bring more visibility to Nigerian theater, further establishing Lagos as a cultural capital in Africa and beyond.
