By Uredo Omale.
Professor of Theatre for Development, Professor William Sunday Onogu, has advocated a return to indigenous communication systems, cultural values and participatory theatre as effective instruments for addressing Nigeria’s socioeconomic and moral challenges and promoting sustainable national development.
He made the call while delivering the 23rd Inaugural Lecture of the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, titled “Stepping Backward to Move Forward: Folk Media and Theatre for Development Approach,” on Tuesday, 14th July, 2026, at the University Auditorium, where he examined the relevance of folk media and Theatre for Development in fostering community participation, cultural preservation and social transformation.
Delivering the lecture, Prof. Onogu noted that contemporary Nigerian society is confronted with numerous socio-political and moral challenges, including insecurity, kidnapping, corruption, cultism, ritual killings, human trafficking and the erosion of traditional values.
He argued that addressing these challenges requires a deliberate return to Africa’s indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage.
The Inaugural Lecturer explained that the concept of “Stepping Backward to Move Forward” is not a call for regression but an appeal to revisit the enduring values, norms and traditions that once promoted peace, honesty, communal responsibility and social cohesion in African societies.
He maintained that sustainable development can only be achieved by combining indigenous wisdom with modern development strategies.
Prof. Onogu described culture as the totality of a people’s way of life, comprising their beliefs, customs, traditions, language, music, laws, festivals and moral values.
He lamented the gradual erosion of African cultural values, noting that excessive materialism and the quest for wealth have weakened the moral fabric of society.
Speaking on folk media, Prof. Onogu defined it as indigenous communication systems such as storytelling, folk songs, dance, proverbs, masquerades, festivals and puppetry, explaining that these traditional media have historically served as effective tools for education, information dissemination, entertainment and value transmission within communities.
The Inaugural Lecturer further described Theatre for Development as a participatory communication process that engages communities in identifying, analysing and solving their development challenges through culturally relevant dramatic performances.
In his words, Theatre for Development promotes dialogue, inclusiveness, community ownership and collective action while complementing modern communication strategies.
Prof. Onogu identified cultural relevance, accessibility, participation, dialogue and moral reorientation as major strengths of folk media and Theatre for Development.
He therefore, called on governments, religious leaders, traditional institutions and community leaders to champion cultural value reorientation aimed at restoring integrity, discipline, patriotism and responsible citizenship among Nigerian youths.
He also emphasised the indispensable role of the family in preserving societal values through proper socialisation, education, emotional support, cultural transmission and moral upbringing, describing the family as the foundation for sustainable national development.
Prof. Onogu recommend amongst other things, greater investment in documenting and preserving indigenous knowledge systems, encouraging universities to equip students with both contemporary and indigenous performance traditions.
He also advocated stronger policy support for folk media and Theatre for Development as veritable instruments for national development and community empowerment.
The Inaugural Lecturer concluded that communication should go beyond the transmission of information to creating meaningful dialogue capable of transforming society.
He urged Nigerians to embrace their cultural heritage, integrate indigenous communication systems with modern media and allow theatre to become a tool for societal reform rather than mere entertainment.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Inaugural Lecture Committee, Professor, S.S. Arogba congratulated the Inaugural Lecturer on attaining the distinguished academic milestone, and commended his immense contributions to scholarship in Theatre Arts and Theatre for Development.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Professor Salisu Ogbo Usman, described the 23rd Inaugural Lecture as another significant milestone in the University’s academic history, noting that it was the sixth (6th) inaugural lecture since his assumption of office on 11th February, 2026.
He noted that the lecture theme was both timely and thought-provoking, stressing that sustainable progress required societies to rediscover and adapt indigenous knowledge systems and traditional communication practices rather than abandoning them.
He further observed that Folk Media and Theatre for Development had emerged as important interdisciplinary fields linking theatre, communication, sociology, anthropology, education and development studies.
The Vice-Chancellor added that folk media and participatory theatre remained effective platforms for civic engagement, peacebuilding, behavioural change, conflict resolution and inclusive development.
He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to promoting excellence in teaching, research, innovation and character development through sustained support for impactful scholarship and interdisciplinary research.
Prof. Usman congratulated Professor William Sunday Onogu on his outstanding academic achievement and commended him for enriching scholarship through a lecture that was both intellectually stimulating and socially relevant.
He also appreciated the Chairman and members of the Inaugural Lecture Committee for sustaining the University’s culture of scholarship and academic excellence.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the inaugural lecture certificate, plaque and medal to the Inaugural Lecturer.
The lecture attracted members of the University Management, Senate, academic and non-teaching staff, students, traditional rulers, scholars from other institutions, development practitioners and distinguished guests from within and outside the University community.
