The National Troupe, under the leadership of Hajja Kaltume Bulama Gana, has got its groove back. Not only are performances holding regularly, the troupe is churning out quality work. Most recent was the troupe’s performance at the 65th Independence Day. Tagged, Unleash the Spirit of Nigeria… A Journey Through Culture, the performance held at Wole Soyinka Centre for Creative Arts.

It was an opportunity to showcase the best of Nigeria’s traditional and contemporary dances, reflecting its diverse ethnic colourations and modern influences. The troupe showcased traditional dances, including the synthesised genres, which have become the new dance forms.

At the event, the troupe opened with dances from the South South. The boldness of the dancers, display of masquerades, all glowing in different colourful costumes was a spectacle to behold. The dance from Edo State depicted the rich culture of the Benin Kingdom. The ease and measured steps with red beads on their necks and hand fans made of woods, brought to light, once more, the historic nature of the Benin cultural ensemble.

From Edo State, the troupe moved to the more interior areas of the Niger Delta, this time recapturing the elegant dance styles of the Itsekiri people. The dance came with songs in Itsekiri dialect, showing the magnificent nature of the palace dance where tradition is upheld. The dance served as a testament to the enduring spirit, pride, and identity of the people.

Then came dances from the Efik and Ibibio domains. The Ekpe tradition, which is sacrosanct quickly resurfaced. The vigour and heavy energy that the dancers brought into the displays kept the audiences bound like Prometheus. The songs brought hope to the people. It was a way to use culture to entertain, to reunite a nation. The songs hinged on hope; they emphasised the immediate need to celebrate peace and love as a people.

The presence of the masquerades in their best costumes brought beauty and nature and near innocence closer to the people. The audience clapped, relaxed, laughed and showed acclaim, appreciation and respect.

The dances from the West and the North proved to be the climax. The dances of love, courtship, harvest and abundance depicted the richness in all spheres in Nigeria. With the implements and props and costumes in place, the troupe took the whole nation back in time with the glamour that seemed to have been lost in that culture space.

Only recently, NTN, under the leadership of its Artistic Director and CEO, Gana, led the cultural delegation (artiste) to Japan, where they made a remarkable impact at the world expo held in Osaka.

The troupe embarked on this international cultural mission on June 22, 2025, as part of Nigeria’s participation in the prestigious global event. Their performance on June 25 captivated audiences with a rich fusion of traditional dance, folklore music, and theatrical storytelling, drawing enthusiastic applause from dignitaries, global delegates, and cultural enthusiasts.

Only recently, as a strategic move to preserve and promote Nigeria’s cultural identity, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the African International Documentary Festival Foundation (AFIDFF).

The troupe is also innovatively presenting the country’s dances in virtual reality and digital games.The Artistic Director said that through the innovative partnership, the troupe aimed to immerse their “audiences by seamlessly blending traditional dance forms with state-of-the-art technology while creating breath-taking performances that transport viewers to a realm of wonder and imagination.”

She also said the initiative was a testament to the ministry’s forward-thinking vision. “We will bridge the gap between the past and the present, inspiring young people to embrace their cultural roots and carry forward the legacy of our ancestors. This initiative demonstrates our commitment to embracing innovation and leveraging technology to enhance the way we engage with the world,” she said.