By Prisca Sam-Duru

The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, NANTAP’s National Delegates Convention (NDC), ended over the weekend on an impressive note.

Tagged Eko 2024, the National Delegates Convention which was moved from December 2024 due to logistics, witnessed the convergence of stakeholders from all over the country, featuring a potpourri of impactful activities aimed at strengthening the relevance of the association in nation building.

Opening on Tuesday, February 18 2025, at the Glover Memorial Hall Lagos, the 5-day event held with theme, “Theatre, Politics, and National Development”, sparking conversations around how to navigate challenges undermining the creatives with emphasis on performers’ rights under Nigeria’s new Copyright Act.

The successful Eko 2024 NDC also featured other exciting activities including: amazing performances celebrating Nigeria’s rich theatrical heritage, workshops & masterclasses facilitated by veterans in the sector covering scriptwriting, directing, acting, stage design; and digital theatre innovations. There were also panel discussions on theatre’s role in politics and national development, while Investiture and Award ceremony honouring outstanding individuals in theatre and the creative sector, drew the curtains on the Convention.

The convention, held across multiple venues including the National Theatre, Glover Memorial Hall, Freedom Park, and the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, had during the opening ceremony, the Director-General of the National Copyright Commission, Dr. John Asein, speaking profoundly on the need for theatre practitioners to be knowledgeable about their legal rights.

Dr Asein, who disclosed notable provisions in the amended Copyright Act, pointed out that the Act recognises performers’ rights, granting them full right over their works in terms of recording, reproduction or performances.

His words, “The goal is to start a conversation on the role of theatre practitioners and their contributions to Nollywood and the wider creative industry. It is crucial for performing artists to understand their rights, leverage the protection that intellectual property offers, and be proactive in managing their works in the digital age.”

Asein also announced plans to make available a publication- “Copyright and Theatre Arts”, which will pay tribute to two iconic figures in Nigerian theatre history: Dr. Sylvester Olusola Agbaje-Williams, a major contributor to Nigeria’s modern copyright system, and Chief Hubert Ogunde, OON, widely regarded as the father of Nigerian theatre and a strong advocate for performers’ rights. The publication will serve as a resource material for practitioners.

Also, the Commission pledged to work with “NANTAP through a technical committee to: Strengthen legal protections for performers, address gaps in the value chain through policy and legislative reforms. Develop educational strategies on copyright for theatre arts departments and create legal frameworks to safeguard performers in the digital age.”

Also speaking on the theme, “Theatre, Politics And National Development”, Ambassador Peter Ryan, Embassy of Ireland, commended NANTAP for its efforts towards the preservation and promotion of Nigerian theatre, stressing the importance of Nigerian theatre practitioners to national development. He encouraged thespians to continue in their efforts to reshape the national narrative and advocate for social change through their crafts.

Ryan, who was represented by Aduke Gomez, stated further that “Ireland’s national theatre called Abbey Theatre, was founded in 1904 when Ireland was still a British colony. It played a major role in shaping national consciousness. Similarly, Nigerian theatre has the power to challenge, inspire, and drive national development,” he said.

The opening ceremony of the Convention also presented an opportunity for the out-gone president of NANTAP, Mr. Israel Eboh, fta, to encourage his colleagues to take ownership of their rights and profession.

Eboh lamented the level of intellectual laziness among performers, stating, “How many of us take the time to understand the laws that protect our work? Too many artists sign contracts without reading them, or worse, perform without contracts at all. We need to do better.”

He then traced the historical role of theatre in shaping societies. “From ancient Greece to contemporary Nigeria, theatre has challenged power structures, fueled revolutions, and inspired change,” he stated.

“Over the next few days, we have curated a dynamic lineup of workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, seminars, plenaries, performances, and awards designed to educate, challenge, and inspire us. We will hear from seasoned scholars, industry leaders, and policymakers as we explore the evolving role of theatre in national development.

“I encourage every delegate to engage fully, share ideas, and seize this opportunity to collaborate. The future of Nigerian theatre is in our hands, and what we build here, together, will define the next chapter of our industry,” he added.

In an emotive valedictory speech made during the closing ceremony, Eboh, who handed the baton of leadership to another thespian Makinde Adeniran. Fta, after a successful election, chronicled how the association surmounted challenges to record milestones. He then called on government, corporate bodies and private investors to play their part in the growth of NANTAP for National development. “We urgently need an updated Cultural Policy that reflects the modern creative industry, government and financial institutions must prioritise funding for arts, ensuring that creative professionals have access to grants, loans, and investment opportunities,” he stated.

Highlights of the event were the presentation of individual and corporate industry awards; Investiture of 2022, 2023 and 2024 Fellows; Induction into the Body of Fellows by the Chairman, Body of Fellows, Prof. Duro Oni, fta; and breathtaking performances.