Akerele Takes Nigeria’s Cultural Playbook to Global Stage

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

National Theatre Chief Executive, Mrs Tola Akerele,
will discuss Nigeria’s cultural resilience, as she addresses the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) Congress in New York, along with other cultural leaders, from January 13 to January 15, 2026.
The theme of the Congress is ‘Resilience: A Global Dialogue’.

Akerele is presenting Nigeria’s experience in sustaining culture economically, amid tightening funding and rising global pressures.

In a statement on Tuesday, she said the congress would convene about 500 arts leaders from 50 countries.

The forum will examine how cultural institutions can remain relevant, solvent and impactful during economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

The theme interrogates maintaining artistic excellence during financial strain and using technology without weakening live performance.

It also addresses the strain on international cultural cooperation in an increasingly tense global climate.
Akerele will feature on a high-level panel, ‘Breaking Out of the Silo’.

The session explores partnerships beyond traditional arts circles to unlock sustainable revenue and broaden cultural impact.

She said such collaboration is vital as public funding shrinks and corporate sponsorship faces pressure worldwide.

“Nigeria has been navigating cultural self-sustainability for years.

“When government, private sector and creatives partner genuinely, culture delivers both social and economic value,” Akerele said.

She said Nigeria’s model offers transferable lessons for cultural institutions globally.
“These platforms are where Nigeria asserts itself as a cultural leader with insights to share,” she said.