Hours after the splendour of the awards of various degrees, diplomas, certificates and prizes as part of the 56th Convocation Ceremonies of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), students of the institution’s Faculty of Creative Arts lit up the J. F. Ade. Ajayi (Main) Auditorium stage with a captivating performance of Ola Rotimi’s “Ovonramwen Nogbaisi.” A performance that relived the fall of the Benin Empire and exile of one of Africa’s most revered monarchs.
Directed by renowned theatre practitioner Biodun Abe, fta, and produced by the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies, the play elevated the convocation celebrations beyond ceremony into a profound act of cultural remembrance.
The production, held on Friday, January 23, 2026, attracted a distinguished audience comprising members of the University community and notable dignitaries, including the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Moruf Alausa, CON; Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Governing Council, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Principal Officers of the University led by Vice-Chancellor, ProfessorFolasadeOgunsola, OON, FAS; and lovers of history, culture, and the performing arts.
In her welcome remarks, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, OON, FAS, underscored the importance of re-claiming and celebrating indigenous narratives. She described culture as a vital lens through which societies understand themselves.
According to her, the arts remain a powerful tool for correcting historical misrepresentations and restoring dignity to Africa’s past.
Set against the backdrop of the British invasion of Benin in 1897, Ovonramwen Nogbaisi exposes colonial diplomacy as a façade for economic and political domination.
The play chronicles how external aggression, internal betrayal, and the absence of unity gradually weakened the once-formidable Benin Kingdom. As British forces advance with superior weaponry, the vulnerability of the empire becomes painfully clear, hastening its tragic collapse.
Faced with the certainty that prolonged resistance would lead to mass destruction, Ovonramwen chooses to surrender and exile as a deliberate act of sacrifice to save his people from total annihilation. This tragic decision reflects Nigeria’s socio-political reality, where leaders are often required to make difficult compromises to prevent chaos in times of crisis.
Below are pictorial highlights of the play:
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Tobi Gisanrin (Student Volunteer)
