The President of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Adeniran Makinde, fta, has called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give deliberate and urgent attention to the Federal Ministry overseeing culture and the creative economy.

He spoke on the occasion of the World Theatre Day, which held on March 27. Also known as International Theatre Day, it is celebrated yearly to honour the art of theatre and its cultural, educational, and social significance worldwide.

ITD or WTD was established in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) to recognise the value of theatre as a universal art form and to promote its role in fostering creativity, dialogue, and understanding across cultures. The first celebration held on March 27, 1962, coinciding with the opening of the “Theatre of Nations” season in Paris, and it has since been observed globally by theatre professionals, organizations, and enthusiasts.

The day highlights the cultural, social, and economic impact of theatre, emphasizing its ability to bring communities together, preserve intangible cultural heritage, and provide a platform for education and social dialogue.

It also serves as a call to governments and institutions to recognize theatre’s value and support its development. Theatre is celebrated not only for entertainment but also as a medium for empathy, reflection, and social change.

A key feature of ITD is the International Message, delivered yearly by a distinguished figure in theatre. This message reflects on the role of theatre in society and promotes a culture of peace. Past authors include Jean Cocteau, Jon Fosse, and Helen Mirren.
The theme promoted for 2026 is Theatre and a Culture of Peace.

In his message as Nigeria’s president, Adeniran said: “The Ministry must not merely exist — it must function. Policies must not merely be announced — they must be implemented. Boards must not merely be inaugurated — they must be accountable. Government support for theatre is not charity. It is nation-building. It is peace-building.

“A theatre sector that is structurally supported produces employment for youth; cultural diplomacy for the nation; social cohesion across ethnic divides; platforms for civic education; and safe spaces for dialogue in times of tension.”

He said, “if theatre is a culture of peace, then government must become a partner in cultivating that peace.

“NANTAP stands not as an adversary, but as a stakeholder. We extend our hand in collaboration. We ask for structured dialogue between practitioners, the National Theatre management, and the supervising ministry. We ask for policy clarity. We ask for transparent frameworks that protect the interests of artists and investors alike.

“We envision a National Theatre that is alive daily — not occasionally. We envision a system where practitioners do not beg for access to their own cultural home. We envision a Nigeria where artists create without fear, without undue financial strain, and without administrative opacity. Peace in theatre practice is not abstract. It is practical. It is budgeting. It is infrastructure. It is consultation. It is respect.

“Today, as we join the global community to celebrate World Theatre Day, we do so under a deeply reflective domestic theme declared by our headquarters: “Theatre: A Culture of Peace.”
According to “Makinde, “Peace is not merely the absence of conflict. Peace is the presence of justice. Peace is not silence. Peace is the assurance that voices are heard. Peace is not decoration. Peace is structure.

Theatre, by its very nature, is a sacred space of dialogue. From the village square to the modern proscenium, from ritual performances to contemporary political drama, Nigerian theatre has always mediated tension, interrogated power, healed communities, and preserved memory. Theatre creates peace because it allows society to see itself — truthfully and courageously.”

He said, “the National Theatre is not merely a building of concrete and steel. It is a national cultural monument — a spiritual and artistic home for generations of practitioners. It represents our collective artistic memory. It should be the epicenter of creative peace, artistic innovation, and professional dignity.

“Yet, practitioners continue to express concern about how the institution is being administered under its new board.

Transparency must be strengthened. Engagement with practitioners must be institutionalized. Programming must reflect national artistic inclusion. Access must be fair and not prohibitive. Cultural governance must be participatory, not distant.

“Peace in theatre practice requires functional rehearsal spaces; affordable performance venues; clear administrative policies; access to funding; inclusion in decision-making processes; and respect for professional bodies.

“When these are absent, anxiety replaces creativity. Uncertainty replaces innovation. Silence replaces collaboration. And silence, as we must say today, has become numbing.”

Makinde added, “the creative industry is one of Nigeria’s most powerful soft-power assets. Our theatre feeds into film, television, music, festivals, education, and diplomacy. It builds youth engagement. It shapes narratives. It sustains identity.

“On this World Theatre Day 2026, under the banner ‘Theatre: A Culture of Peace,’ we recommit ourselves as practitioners to ethical practice, artistic excellence, and national unity. But we also insist — respectfully and firmly — that peace must begin within the structures that govern us.”