Stakeholders across Nigeria’s creative economy are hailing the recently concluded Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) 2025 as a pivotal moment set to redefine the country’s entertainment landscape.
The week-long cultural spectacle, featuring a vibrant run of performances and creative exchanges, demonstrated that live performance is regaining its prominence as a commercially viable and culturally significant form of storytelling.
Recognised as Africa’s premier stage for live performance, LITF 2025 went beyond traditional play showcases, actively challenging the dominance of screen-based content.
Festival founder Bolanle Austen-Peters praised the event, stating:
“LITF 2025 exceeded expectations. The turnout was unbelievable, the performances were powerful, and the energy was unmatched. This year, we didn’t just host a festival. We disrupted the entertainment space and reminded the world that theatre remains a strong force in African storytelling.”
The festival drew enthusiastic crowds across multiple venues, including the MUSON Centre, blending theatre with food, music, and celebrity culture.
LITF attracted both local and international theatre companies from South Africa, the United States, and beyond, reinforcing its role as a platform for cultural diplomacy.
Festival Director Vanessa Jev highlighted the festival’s focus on global collaboration:
- Dialogue and Discovery: Providing space for dialogue, collaboration, and discovery, showcasing how African creatives are shaping global theatre.
- Diverse Programming: Featuring over 20 live productions across comedies, dramas, musicals, and historical narratives to appeal to a wide audience.
Masterclasses and workshops further fostered mentorship and skills exchange, boosting capacity in Nigeria’s creative sector.
The festival’s significance was reinforced by the attendance of the Lagos State Governor at the Gala Night, sparking discussions on public investment in the creative economy.
Stakeholders emphasize that LITF is more than a cultural event; it acts as an economic catalyst, driving tourism, creating jobs, and elevating visibility across Nigeria’s creative economy. Its success underscores the potential for increased public and private sector investment in performing arts.
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