TAF Honours First @ Arts By First Bank, MTN Foundation, Hon. Faleke James, Hon. Ogundipe Stephen at 2025 TheatreManiac

Mrs. Chinwe Bode- Akinwande, Chinwe, Head, Sponsorships Partnerships, Events and Collaboration First Bank Plc., Mr. Ismail Omamegbe
Head, Sustainability, Media and External Relations, First Bank Plc receiving the Award of THEATREMANIAC OF the Year (Corporate Organisation) for First @ Arts By First Bank from Dr. Akin Lewis (TAF BOT Chairman) & Alayande Stephen T.(CEO/ Co-Founder, TAF)

The curtains have officially fallen on the 2025 TheatreMania Africa Festival (TAF), concluding a two-day whirlwind of cultural brilliance that culminated in a glitzy Awards Nite at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja.

The festival, which kicked off at Shodex Gardens, Ilupeju on the 9th of December, 2025, solidified its status as the continent’s premier theatrical gathering, blending veteran honors with contemporary competitive excellence.
The highlight of the evening was the induction of three titans into the TAF Hall of Fame with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The legendary Dame Taiwo Ajai-Lycett (OON) who was ably represented by another veteran actor Dr. Akin Lewis, and the world-renowned South African dance troupe Africa Umoja were honored for their decades of contribution to the global arts landscape.
In the corporate and leadership categories, TAF recognized those fueling the creative economy:

First @ Arts By First Bank: 2025 THEATREMANIAC of the Year (Corporate Organisation Award).

MTN Foundation: 2025 THEATREMANIAC of the Year (Arts and Creative Patronage Award).
Hon. James Abiodun Faleke: THEATREMANIAC of the Year (Youth Empowerment Champion.)
Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode: THEATREMANIAC of the Year (Political Advocacy Award.).

The “cynosure of the night” was undoubtedly the command performance of “Grain In the Wind 4.0.” featuring powerhouse performances by Dr. Sam Uche Anyamele fta.,Titilola Aboyade-Cole (UK), Dr. Ochuko Odesa, Faloni Moyosore and Paul Uwagbai, the play left the audience in awe. The production’s technical depth and emotional resonance served as a fitting tribute to the festival’s theme of African unity and resilience.

Dr. D. F Salau, Chairman, University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) Lagos Branch, receiving the Award of THEATREMANIAC of the Year (Political Advocacy) on behalf of Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode (Lagos State House of Assembly).

The night also saw a continental showdown of talent via the Award competition:
(1) The Nominees for 2025 Best Contemporary Dance Group of the Year
(a) Ankata Dance Company (Burkinafaso)
Avec ou Sang

(b) Black Image Theatre (Nigeria)
Nigeria Cultural Dance
(c) Theater RAST (TANZANIA)
Stages Places episode 15 with Samwel Japheth
The Best Contemporary Dance Group of the Year 2025 was won by Ankata Dance Company (Burkinafaso).

(2) The Nominees for 2025 Best Stage Design
(a) Husband Materials – 7 Yards
Roverman Productions (Ghana)
(b) La Boule Bleue
Academie Ivorie Marionnettes (Coted’voire)
(c)Avec ou Sang
Ankata Dance Company (Burkinafaso)
Husband Materials – 7 Yards by Roverman Productions (Ghana) won the 2025 Best Stage Design.

(3) The Nominees for 2025 Best Theatre Writer/Reporter
(a) The African Theatre Magazine
www.theafricantheatremagazine.com
(Uganda)
(b) Splash9ja Magazine
www.splash9ja.org (Nigeria)
(c) Showbiz Afrika Magazine
www.showbizafrika.com (Nigeria)

The 2025 Best Theatre Writer/Reporter of the Year was won by The African Theatre Magazine (Uganda).

(4) The Nominees for 2025 Best Stage Play
(a) Husband Materials – 7 Yards
Roverman Productions (Ghana)
(b) La Boule Bleue
Academie Ivorie Marionnettes (Coted’voire)
(c) I want to Feed You
Roverman Productions (Ghana)
(d) Gbekude Stage Play
Performing Arts TV UNILORIN (Nigeria)

The 2025 Best Stage Play of the Year was won by La Boule Bleue, Academie Ivorie Marionettes ( Coted’voire).

(5) For The 2025 Generation Next Theatre (GNT).
At GNT, we nurture young talent in Primary and Secondary Schools through theatre, dance, and music. GNT discovers, mentors, and trains future African/Nollywood actors, fostering creativity, morals, and patriotism through competitions, celebrity mentoring, and performances, culminating in awards at TheatreMania Africa Festival ( TAF).

The Nominees for 2025 Generation Next Theatre (GNT) competition final are :
(a) VICMOB Schools, Shasha, Akowonjo, Lagos
(b) Love Living Spring School, Bariga, Lagos
(c) Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State.
The 2025 Generation Next Theatre (GNT) was won by Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State.

(6) 2025 TAF Awards Honourable/Single Mention
(a) Best Costume of the Year –
La Boule Bleue
Academie Ivorie Marionnettes (Coted’voire)

(b) Best Script Writer –
La Boule Bleue
Academie Ivorie Marionnettes (Coted’voire)

(4) Best Well-Lighted Production
La Boule Bleue
Academie Ivorie Marionnettes (Coted’voire)

The event was masterfully steered by hosts Claude Mwamba and Oluwatosin Alayande, ensuring a seamless flow of prestige and entertainment.
TAF 2025 was supported by Event and Media Partners from Shodex Gardens, Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos Ikeja, First @ Arts By First Bank, MTN Foundation, WAP TV, NTA, KDove Hotel, Nkan Media, QUIDBOT By Finnova, Igrek77, Surplus FXchange, Podium Empire, Eagles House Global Resoources, Platos Health, ATn T Media, Ariya TV, Walure Media, Brand Times, Brand Visibility, The Nollywood Reporter, Brand Crunch, SPLASH9JA, THEATREDOME, Plusplace Media, Shanks TV, THM360, TSUP, RWELLS Media, Moon TV, JYB TV, EMCOAN, Showbiz Afrika Magazine, Nelofem Media etc

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