Children’s Day Production Targets Cultural Reawakening Through Theatre
Lagos Set for Large-Scale Children’s Theatre Experience
THE National Theatre Lagos will host a major theatrical production for the 2026 Children’s Day celebration with the staging of I Wish I Wish: Battle of The Winds.
The fantasy-inspired musical, produced by Proud African Roots, is scheduled for May 30 and is expected to attract thousands of children and families to the venue.
Organisers described the event as an immersive theatrical experience built around African folklore, music and mythology, combining entertainment with cultural education.
Two separate performances are planned, with attendance projected at about 6,000 people.
Storytelling, Fantasy and Social Learning
At the centre of the production is Grandma Wura, a mythical storyteller who leads children through a dramatic confrontation between opposing natural forces in a fantasy setting rooted in African oral traditions.
The play blends humour, music, fantasy and moral lessons while exposing young audiences to indigenous storytelling structures often overshadowed by imported children’s entertainment content.
The organisers said the production would feature sophisticated stage effects, detailed costume design and original musical compositions aimed at creating a world-class theatrical atmosphere.
They noted that the project was intentionally designed to prove that high-quality children’s entertainment can emerge from African creative traditions without losing global appeal.
National Theatre Backs Cultural Education Initiative
Speaking ahead of the event, Tola Akerele, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre Lagos, said the institution remained committed to promoting culturally grounded experiences for Nigerian children.
She stressed that creative exposure during childhood plays an important role in shaping identity, imagination and social values.
According to her, productions such as I Wish I Wish help children reconnect with African stories, languages and cultural symbols in a rapidly globalising media environment.
Akerele also described the production as an example of the type of innovative local content the National Theatre seeks to encourage as part of efforts to reposition the venue as a hub for cultural and creative excellence.
Expanding Nigeria’s Children’s Creative Industry
Stakeholders in the creative industry say the production highlights renewed attention toward children-centred theatre and family-oriented live entertainment in Nigeria.
Analysts argue that investment in culturally relevant children’s productions could help preserve indigenous storytelling traditions while creating new opportunities within the country’s entertainment economy.
The organisers revealed that previous productions by Proud African Roots attracted more than 1,200 attendees in 2025, encouraging the company to expand its creative ambition this year.
Observers believe the success of productions like Battle of The Winds could inspire greater institutional support for children’s arts education and theatre development across the country.
