A Veteran’s Legacy: Lagos International Theatre Festival Honours Ben Tomoloju
Ben Tomoloju’s Lifetime Dedication to Theatre Earns Prestigious Festival Honour
A distinguished career in the arts will receive special recognition as veteran theatre practitioner, art critic and culture journalist Ben Tomoloju prepares to collect the Lifetime Achievement and Legacy Award at the 2026 Lagos International Theatre Festival.
The award celebrates his longstanding contribution to Nigerian theatre and the performing arts. It also acknowledges the value of a career shaped by artistic commitment and service to the creative community.
Festival organisers have scheduled the presentation for the opening night on 13 November 2026 at Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos. Theatre practitioners, cultural stakeholders and invited guests will attend the occasion.
The festival’s founder and creative producer, Mrs. Bolanle Austen-Peters, announced the recognition in a letter dated 11 November 2026.
She said the honour reflects Tomoloju’s years of dedication and the influence of his work on the development of theatre in Nigeria. Furthermore, she described his artistic journey as an important part of the country’s cultural legacy.
Austen-Peters explained that the festival intends to celebrate people whose commitment has helped sustain the performing arts. She stressed that theatre thrives not only through the stories artists tell but also through the vision and discipline of those who nurture the industry.
In congratulating Tomoloju, she expressed the organisers’ hope that he would attend the opening ceremony to receive the award personally.
The recognition therefore goes beyond an individual celebration. It offers the Nigerian theatre community an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of experienced practitioners and reflect on the people who have helped keep its artistic traditions alive.
As the festival prepares to honour Tomoloju, his recognition also reinforces the importance of celebrating creative legacies and preserving the cultural foundations of Nigerian theatre.
