Applied Theatre and Decolonial Transformation: The Igbo Oloyin Community Project in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Applied theatre in African communities is often framed as a tool for development, however less attention has been paid to how it can function as a decolonial practice that centres Indigenous knowledge systems over externally imposed solutions. This paper investigates how participatory, community-led theatre fosters social transformation when explicitly grounded in decolonial thinking. Using the Igbo Oloyin Community Project (Ibadan, Nigeria, 2020) as a qualitative case study, the research draws on critical discourse analysis and post-performance evaluation data. The project engaged residents in co-creating performances addressing substance abuse and promoting education, blending Yoruba oral traditions with contemporary theatrical techniques. The findings indicate that community-driven applied theatre can redistribute epistemic authority, enabling participants to become co-constructors of meaning rather than passive recipients. However, financial constraints, political resistance, and limited digital infrastructure persistently limit scalability. The paper concludes by proposing decolonial funding models, digital integration strategies, and South–South collaborations to strengthen the role of applied theatre in sustainable social transformation across Africa.