Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Soro Badrissa, Akin Lewis, Lydia Hagan, Rafahlema Makoti, Norbert Young and Others Set for TheatreMania Africa Festival 2025

Preparations are underway for the second edition of the TheatreMania Africa Festival (TAF) 2025, scheduled for Tuesday, 9th December, and Wednesday, 10th December, 2025. The event will be held daily at 10:00 am at Shodex Gardens, Ilupeju, Lagos, and at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

This year’s festival, themed “Beyond Borders: Celebrating the Global Reach of African Theatre,” is gaining momentum across the continent, with numerous speakers and panelists already confirmed to participate.

According to Dr Akin Lewis, a veteran Nollywood actor, thespian, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of TAF, he expressed his excitement about the theme: “With this year’s theme, we believe that African stories, told through the captivating medium of theatre, have universal appeal and possess the power to connect, inspire, and provoke dialogue across cultures. This highlights the universal relevance and emotional strength of African theatrical narratives. We are proud to be part of TAF 2025, which aims to foster conversations, showcase performances, and bring recognition to the industry.”

Participants are expected to join thought leaders, erudite speakers, changemakers, and industry stakeholders from across the creative, theatre, and arts sectors.

Among the confirmed speakers and distinguished guests are Mrs Taiwo Ajai-Lycett (OON), Uncle Ebo Whyte (Founder, Roverman Productions, Ghana), Soro Badrissa (Puppeteer and Founding Artistic Director of the Compagnie Ivoire Marionnettes, Abatta, Côte d’Ivoire), Marc Berbant (Director, Alliance Française), Dr Akin Lewis, Norbert Young, Francis Onwochei (Veteran Nollywood actors), Adeniran Makinde (President, NANTAP), Dr Titilayo Adebayo (Lecturer, Creative Arts, UNILAG), Kingsley Omoefe (Nollywood director), Lydia Gifty Hagan (Arts & Media Consultant, Ghana), Aishat Mamela Rafamhelea (Producer, South Africa), Paul Uwagbai (Veteran director), Segun Adefila (Crown Troupe of Afrika), Ben Chidiaka (Thespian and director), Titilayo Aboyade-Cole (Actress and entrepreneur), Zani Chiumia Challe (Actress and artist, Malawi), Claude Mwamba (General Manager, Transperfect Nigeria), Ehi Omokhuale (Veteran voice actor), Oluwanishola Oladele Adenuga (Founder, Live Theatre Lagos), Jacinta MacJob (Scriptwriter), Helen Sosu-Ezirim (Founder, TSUP), Julius Olaoluwa Oyekanmi (Managing Director, QUIDBOT by Finnova), AJ Dagga Tolar (Award-winning author), Olubanke Adeleke (CEO, Dressrite Kiddies), and many more.

Additional distinguished guests include Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode (Member, Lagos State House of Assembly – Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 1), Olayiwola Awakan (Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Authority), Hon. Muyiwa Jimoh (Former Member, Lagos State House of Assembly), Otunba Olu Adenodi (Investment Attorney), Olusola Adekoya (Managing Director, Shodex Gardens), Dr D.F Salau (Chairman, UIAA Lagos Branch), Prof. Akin Abayomi (Commissioner for Health, Lagos State), and royal fathers such as HRM Oba Salibu Hakeem Agbaosi (Alaguda Aguda) and Oba Suleiman Owolabi (Ogun-Oloko, Ade Ori Okin I, Oniwaya of Iwaya).

TAF 2025 will feature a host of activities, including street theatre, stakeholder roundtables, veteran fireside conversations, Generation Next Theatre (GNT), Healthy Arts Initiative, arts and product exhibitions, command performances, induction into the TAF Hall of Fame, and a gala awards night.

According to Alayande Stephen T., CEO and Co-Founder of TAF, “The theme ‘Beyond Borders: Celebrating the Global Reach of African Theatre’ is more than just a tagline; it’s a testament to the undeniable influence and expanding footprint of African theatre worldwide. This reflects our core mission to showcase the international impact of African theatre. With TAF 2025, we will witness groundbreaking performances, thought-provoking narratives, and the brilliance of African artistry, transcending continents and captivating hearts. Join us as we honour the visionaries and elevate the voices that connect us all.”

TheatreMania Africa Festival (TAF) is organised by TheatreMania Africa in collaboration with Eagles House, Nkan Media (US), and Podium Empire, with support from Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja Lagos, Shodex Gardens, QUIDBOT by Finnova Corp, Platos, Walure Capital, The Street University Project (TSUP), Igrek77, Surplus Fxchange, Omooba Deji Irawo Heritage Foundation, Naija Poetry Fest, Shígo Arts Edutainment, AJ House of Poetry, Franq Oliz Fashion, and others.

Media partners include WAP TV, Hip TV, EMCOAN, Paparazzi Media, Ariya TV, RAVE TV, R2TV/R2FM, Goge Africa, The Nollywood Reporters, Showbiz Afrika, Brand Times, Brand Visibility, GOLDYMYNE TV, Splash9ja, TheatreDome, MNET 24 Studio, Plus Place Media, Shanks TV, Freshwave Concepts, Filmcraft Academy, THM360, GreyLotus Media, among others.

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