Curtains rise as Om’ObaJerry Adesewo takes charge of NANTAP Abuja Chapter
* Proposes FCT Performing Arts Fund (FCT-PAF) to Minister Wike
By Godwin Okondo
A new leadership has taken the helms of affairs of the Abuja Chapter of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) with a promise to revitalise theatre practice in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory. At the inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, theatre professionals, cultural stakeholders and guests gathered to witness the formal induction of a new executive council led by Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo. He pledged a renewed vision centred on growth, collaboration and increased visibility for the arts.
Adesewo outlined an ambitious agenda anchored on capacity building, membership expansion, and collaboration, emphasising that the focus of his leadership would be to empower practitioners for both the stage and the boardroom through targeted workshops, mentorship programmes, and continuous professional development opportunities.
“We must prepare our practitioners not just for the stage, but for the boardroom, the screen, and the global arts economy,” he said.
Adesewo highlighted his extensive leadership experience in the theatre industry, noting that he had served in various capacities both nationally and internationally, adding, “Today, I am serving on the Advisory Council of International Contemporary Performing Arts Network (IETM). Towards the end of 2024, as the North Central Coordinator of ASSITEJ Nigeria Centre, I was elected as Co-Chair of the restructured African Children and Youth Theatre Arena (ACYTA), and led the African delegation to the ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering in Marseille, France in March where ASSITEJ celebrated her 60th anniversary.” He also recalled that on February 19, 2025, he was elected pioneer president of the reorganised International Inclusive Arts Network (IIAN) and had recently concluded a six-year tenure on the National Executive Council of NANTAP.
As part of his plans for membership growth, Adesewo called on practitioners, including trained theatre artists working in other sectors and graduats of theatre arts, to join the association, noting, “Even if you think you don’t need NANTAP, I bet you, NANTAP sure needs you,” he said, urging them to pick up membership forms to be part of the big family.
Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo
He also announced plans to deepen local and international collaborations, leveraging Abuja’s status as the diplomatic capital of Africa to engage cultural institutions, embassies, and global networks. He appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to establish a standalone Mandate Secretary for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, and to invest in arts infrastructure across the FCT.
“The Federal Capital Territory deserves a standalone Mandate Secretary for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy,” Adesewo argued. “The arts need strategic leadership and dedicated focus if Abuja is to take its place among the great cultural cities of the world,” and further urged the minister to consider building cottage theatres in all area councils and creative hubs to stimulate the arts scene. He then proposed the establishment of the FCT Endowment Fund for the Arts, or a more specifically, FCT Performing Arts Fund (FCT-PAF), modelled after similar initiatives in other parts of the world.
The director of Arojah Theatre Festival and Abuja International Theatre Festival also announced that the chapter’s monthly congresses would resume on Thursday, May 22, 2025, and hold every third Thursday of the month while a quarterly roundtable for experience sharing and addressing issues in theatre practice would be instituted. He also disclosed that the first major engagement under the new leadership would take place on June 10, 2026 in collaboration with the National Theatre, as it would provide stakeholders the opportunity to interact with the General Manager of the National Theatre, Mrs. Tola Akerele.
He revealed that five executive orders focusing on training, welfare, advocacy, documentation, and funding would be issued to guide the chapter’s operations over the next two years. In addition, Adesewo announced the constitution of a five-member State Advisory Council to serve a renewable two-year term, and pledged to establish a seven-member FCT Chapter Elders Forum and an FCT Chapter Body of Patrons to support the association’s growth, with the membership of these bodies to be announced at the inaugural congress in May.
“This is your association,” he declared to members. “Let’s build it together. Pay your dues, pay your performance fees and donate in support of our activities, which will soon roll out. It will no longer be business as usual. We have a shared responsibility to make FCT Chapter a model for other chapters across the nation.”
THe experienced theatre manager acknowledged the outgoing executive council, led by Kayode Aiyegbusi and the transition committee chaired by the past deputy president, Esther Onwuka, for their efforts in sustaining the association and organising the inauguration.
While reflecting on the significance of the event and the need for unity among members, he said, “This is only the second time we are having a formal inauguration. Incidentally, I am honoured to be a beneficiary of these two iconic moments. First, as secretary under the chairmanship of Chukwuemeka Okereafor, and today as chairman. Before now, we have always lit the candle and then hid it under the bushel. No more! Visibility is the rule of the game, and we are going to ensure that NANTAP is seen, heard and respect. Together, let us raise the curtain on a new era for theatre in Abuja!”
Stakeholders expressed satisfaction with the incoming helmsman and his team, assured of that his many years of successfully managing theatre would stand him in good stead to pilot the afairs of NANTAP Abuja Chapter. There were particularly excited with Adesewo’s bold and innovative ideas and initiatives that they hope would help advance the cause of theatre practice and be the envy of other chapters across the country.
