By Seun ibiyemi
Dr Taiwo Afolabi has called for increased investment, collaboration and professionalisation of Nigeria’s creative industry, urging stakeholders to transform African indigenous knowledge into a sustainable source of innovation, economic value and opportunities for future generations.
Afolabi made the call at the 39th International Conference and 40th Annual General Meeting of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA), held at Lead City University, Ibadan, where he served as Chairman of the Occasion.
The conference, which commenced on August 19, 2026, was themed “African Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Performance, Film and Sustainable Futures.”
L – R: Professor Tunji Azeez, President SONTA; Professor Abdulrasheed Adeoye, Editor SONTA; Mr. Olumuyiwa Akande, Group Head Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group; Professor Osakue Omoera, Vice – President, Project and Programmes, SONTA and Professor Jeleel Ojuade, VC, Ojaja University during the Grand Excellence in Leadership Award presentation to Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, the Chairman of SIFAX Group, ably represented by Mr. Olumuyiwa Akande.
Afolabi, who was represented by Olumuyiwa Akande, Group Head, Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group, described Nigeria’s indigenous knowledge as a significant but underutilised national asset.
He said the knowledge, preserved over generations through storytelling, music, dance, drama, festivals, proverbs, traditional music and other cultural expressions, could be repositioned for contemporary audiences through theatre and film.
“The real opportunity before us is to transform indigenous knowledge into contemporary cultural and economic value.”
He challenged creative professionals, scholars, government, businesses and cultural institutions to explore how indigenous stories could inspire globally competitive theatre productions and films.
The SIFAX Group chairman also called for the use of technology to document indigenous knowledge that had traditionally been transmitted through oral traditions.
According to him, Nigeria’s creative industry has the capacity to drive economic development, create jobs, promote tourism, strengthen cultural diplomacy and improve the country’s global image.
He cited the international success of African music as evidence of what could be achieved when local creativity was professionally packaged for global audiences.
However, Afolabi noted that achieving similar global influence in theatre, film and indigenous cultural expressions would require sustained investment, professionalisation, collaboration and a commitment to quality.
He urged government, the private sector, academia, creative professionals and cultural institutions to build stronger partnerships to support the sector.
Afolabi said businesses could contribute beyond sponsorship through investment, technology, capacity building and the provision of platforms for creative entrepreneurs to thrive.
He also urged participants to ensure that the conference produced practical ideas, partnerships and recommendations capable of influencing policy and strengthening Nigeria’s creative ecosystem.
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“Let this conference be a bridge between our rich cultural past and the sustainable future we desire.”
He added that indigenous knowledge should be regarded not merely as a memory of Africa’s past, but as a resource capable of shaping its future.
Afolabi further emphasised the importance of authenticity and responsible storytelling, urging African creatives to tell their stories in their own voices, avoid stereotypes and showcase the continent’s diversity, ingenuity and cultural richness.
At the event, he received the Grand Excellence in Leadership Award in recognition of his leadership and contributions to the development of the creative industry.
