Firstbank sponsors maiden Lagos International Theatre Festival

First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. has announced its sponsorship of the inaugural Lagos International Theatre Festival, a celebration of arts, creativity and diversity.

The festival, part of FirstBank’s First@arts initiative, will debut in November.

Ms Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank, stated in a statement in Monday that the bank would sponsor the event in partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters and the Lagos State Government.

According to her, the three-day festival, scheduled to run from Nov. 15 to Nov. 17, will showcase both local and international artistic expressions and creative arts, attracting an estimated global audience of over 20,000.

The Lagos International Theatre Festival is a vibrant hub of artistic expression, uniting global performers, directors, writers, and theater enthusiasts.

“Through our First@Arts initiative, we have consistently championed the growth of creative talent and contributed to the vibrant cultural landscape of Nigeria.

“We believe that supporting platforms like the Lagos International Theatre Festival is vital not only for the arts but also for empowering individuals, driving innovation, and fostering a sense of community that inspires national pride,” she said.

She said FirstBank’s lead sponsorship reinforced its position as the foremost patron of creative and performing arts, contributing to the cultural and entertainment fabric of the nation.

Also, Bolanle Austen-Peters, the founder of BAP Productions, said that the creative industry is at the heart of every nation that thrives, and Nigeria is blessed with imaginative creativity and abundant talents.

“This is what God has blessed us with—the only resource that is infinite. It is important for us to provide a platform where our creatives can explore, tell our stories, and export our positive philosophies and values to the world.

“This is why we are launching the Lagos International Theatre Festival,” Austen-Peters said.

The diverse line-up of productions for the festival includes adult theatre, Children’s theatre, skits and storytelling that tackles both local and global themes and the dynamic spirit of Lagos.

The festival will to take place at four iconic venues in Lagos State: Muson Centre, TerraKulture, National Theatre, and JK Randle Centre.

The event will showcase performances by emerging and established artists, local theatre groups, and international acts alongside workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, and marketplaces.

Featured plays will include The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives and Satchmo at The Waldorf, among many others.

In addition, some of Nigeria’s creative artists such as Joke Silva, Kehinde Bankole, Osas Ighodaro, and Broda Shaggi, will be gracing the festival.