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The Nigerian arts and theatre landscape was aglow with celebration as the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) honoured an esteemed group of trailblazers with its highest recognition—the Fellow of Theatre Profession (FTP) award. The honour acknowledges individuals whose leadership, creativity, and cultural influence have significantly shaped theatre practice, storytelling, and the wider creative economy in Nigeria.
The award ceremony, held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the historic Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos, drew key figures from the nation’s cultural, theatre, and film circles. Distinguished guests included Tola Akerele, General Manager of the National Theatre; culture advocate and CORA Programme Chairman, Jahman Anikulapo; Chairman of the NANTAP Body of Fellows, Prof. Duro Oni; Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Chairman of NANTAP’s Board of Trustees and head of the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS); and veteran actor Norbert Young, among many respected industry personalities.
Prominent recipients in attendance included Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director/CEO of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB); celebrated actress Joke Silva Jacobs; Olarotimi Ojo; Sam Uche-Anyamele; Bolanle Austen-Peters; and Beatrice Chinyere Ugochukwu.
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Beatrice Chinyere Ugochukwu, a dedicated cultural advocate and theatre practitioner, was celebrated for her unwavering commitment to advancing Nigerian arts and nurturing creative talent. Her contributions to cultural preservation, theatre education, and community-engaged performance earned her well-deserved recognition as one of the 2025 FTP honourees.
NANTAP highlighted that the recipients were selected for their exceptional impact on the nation’s creative and performing arts sectors. Their work—spanning policy development, artistic leadership, advocacy, performance, scholarship, and industry innovation—continues to inspire and strengthen Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Founded in 1994, the Fellow of Theatre Profession (FTP) award remains the association’s highest honour. It is reserved for individuals who have contributed profoundly to the growth and visibility of Nigerian theatre and culture. Past recipients include Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (2024), lauded for his support of the creative economy; former Ekiti State First Lady Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Adedayo Thomas; and Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, former Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Shaibu Husseini underscored the vital role of the arts in national development and pledged a continued commitment to fostering an enabling environment for artistic expression. Other awardees echoed similar sentiments, reflecting on the power of theatre to drive social impact, amplify Nigerian stories, and engage young people in nation-building.
The 2025 FTP ceremony not only celebrated outstanding individual achievements but also reaffirmed the enduring importance of theatre in shaping Nigeria’s cultural identity and inspiring future generations.
