Amanze Chinonye
Nigeria’s literary and theatre communities are set to celebrate renowned playwright, poet and scholar, Femi Osofisan, as he marks his 80th birthday with a series of performances, screenings and intellectual engagements in Lagos and Ibadan this June, Prime Business Africa reports.
The week-long celebrations, scheduled for June 11 to 18, 2026, are expected to draw theatre practitioners, filmmakers, academics, students and admirers from across Nigeria and beyond in honour of the celebrated dramatist whose works have shaped generations of African literary and theatrical discourse.
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Organisers said the events, tagged “FO@80”, would feature stage productions, film screenings, roundtable discussions and tributes dedicated to examining Osofisan’s enduring contributions to arts, culture and public intellectualism.
Activities will begin in Lagos from June 11 to 15 with stage performances of Osofisan’s acclaimed play, Yungba Yungba and the Dance Contest, at the Department of Theatre Arts, Lagos State University of Education, Ijanikin.
The production, directed by Bunmi Adedina, will run for three days, alongside other planned performances including No More the Wasted Breed, directed by Segun Adefila, and The Engagement, directed by Shola Adenugba.
On June 14, the celebration will move to the JRandle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, where dramatist Ben Tomoloju is expected to deliver a talk titled “The Femi Osofisan I Know.”
The event will also feature the unveiling of 100 Songs of Femi Osofisan, produced by Semoore Badejo for Concrete Studios.
A major highlight of the Lagos programme will be a roundtable discussion themed “Femi Osofisan’s Drama and the Deconstruction of the Nigerian Postcolonial State.” The session will feature notable scholars and cultural figures including filmmaker Tunde Kelani, Professor Mabel Evwierhoma, Professor Akin Adesokan, Professor Razinat Mohammed and theatre scholar Onyekaba Cornel-Best.
Other participants expected at the sessions include Professor Ifure Ufford-Azorbo, theatre director Israel Eboh and culture curator Jahman Anikulapo, who will moderate the discussion.
Guests at the Lagos event will also watch screenings of Maami and Cordelia, film adaptations of Osofisan’s works by veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani.
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Another roundtable scheduled for June 15 will examine the theme “Interpreting Femi Osofisan for the Stage.” Speakers include Professor Grace Adinku, Dr Teju Kareem, Dr Toyin Ogundeji, Professor Rasheedat Liman, veteran actress Joke Silva and theatre practitioner Makinde Adeniran.
The Ibadan leg of the celebrations will hold at the Staff Club of the University of Ibadan from June 17 to 18. It will feature recorded screenings of Yungba Yungba and the Dance Contest and Farewell to a Cannibal Rage, both directed by Grace Adinku, followed by question-and-answer sessions, tributes and roundtable discussions.
Organisers said the events are being supported by several institutions and cultural organisations, including the University of East Anglia, Mainframe Productions, the Ibadan Literary Society and Friends of Femi Osofisan.
Born on June 16, 1946, in Erunwon, Ogun State, Osofisan studied at the University of Ibadan and later became one of Africa’s most celebrated dramatists and literary scholars. Over the decades, he has authored more than 40 plays, several novellas, volumes of poetry and critical works.
A former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors, PEN Nigeria and the Pan African Writers Association, Osofisan has received numerous honours, including the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award for the Humanities and the Thalia Prize of the International Association of Theatre Critics, making him the first African recipient of the prestigious award in 2016.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
