The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has once again placed cultural identity at the forefront of campus life as students enthralled audiences with a captivating stage play centered on Moremi Ajasoro, a heroic figure in Yoruba folklore. The performance was the highlight of the third installment of the UNILAG in Town initiative, held to encourage cultural pride and mental emancipation.
The event attracted a wide audience, with students seamlessly blending dramatic arts with visual storytelling to rekindle appreciation for African heritage.
Addressing the gathering, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola underscored the importance of using creative arts as a means of fostering national identity and shifting mindsets.
“I’ve always envisioned the university as a platform to help decolonise our thinking,” she said. “Physical independence has been achieved, but many still struggle with mental colonization.”
She pointed out that young Nigerians often suffer from a lack of historical grounding, leading to diminished self-worth and disconnectedness from their roots.
“By revisiting our past through plays like Moremi Ajasoro, we help students appreciate their history and cultivate pride in their heritage,” she stressed.
Play director and theatre veteran Adeniran Makinde noted that the project not only provided valuable performance experience for students but also bridged the long-standing gap between academia and creative industries.
