A student of Performing Arts Department at Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, Akinwale Eyitayo, has won the best actress at the 2023 edition of Theatre Students Awards (TSA) ceremony held in Lagos.

The 400-level student lost out last year when she was nominated for a similar award in 2022.
Her performance in a play titled ‘Circus of the freedom square’ won the highest number of votes from judges.

During the award presentation, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Adebayo, said the institution would not relent in its efforts to hone students’ skill and improve their academic performance.

He said: “We are confident that our students will always come tops in every competitive event because we offer them the best academic and skill improvement activities. I congratulate Akinwale for being a good ambassador of the school.”

Akinwale contested alongside others, including Gbadeyan Kikiope from Lagos State University (LASU); Sunday Esther from University of Ilorin (UNILORIN); Taiwo Omowunmi from Federal University, Lokoja (FULOKOJA); Eze Angela from University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); Nwosu Nkiruka from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU); Odogwu Peculiar from Delta State University (DELSU); and Omamode Favour from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA).

While thanking the organisers and judges for deeming her performance good enough for an award, Akinwale also lauded her lecturers for effectively grooming her.

She said: “I felt bad losing the award last year but I was not discouraged. For this year’s edition, I sent a video of my performance in a stage play titled, “Circus of the freedom square. I played the character of Iyalode in the play.”

The award winner said she started acting in primary school and was encouraged by an uncle to study performing arts since she already possessed a natural talent.

“I have acted in several plays and after my study, I want to focus on voice acting because of my good voice, body acting because of my expressive facial gift and script writing because I draw inspiration from every event around me”, Akinwale said.