The curtains have officially fallen on the 2025 TheatreMania Africa Festival (TAF), concluding a two-day whirlwind of cultural brilliance that culminated in a glitzy Awards Nite at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja.
The festival, which kicked off at Shodex Gardens, Ilupeju on the 9th of December, 2025, solidified its status as the continent’s premier theatrical gathering, blending veteran honors with contemporary competitive excellence.
The highlight of the evening was the induction of three titans into the TAF Hall of Fame with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The legendary Dame Taiwo Ajai-Lycett (OON) who was ably represented by another veteran actor Dr. Akin Lewis, and the world-renowned South African dance troupe Africa Umoja were honored for their decades of contribution to the global arts landscape.
Dr. D. F Salau, Chairman, University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) Lagos Branch, receiving the Award of THEATREMANIAC of the Year (Political Advocacy) on behalf of Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode (Lagos State House of Assembly).
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In the corporate and leadership categories, TAF recognized those fueling the creative economy:
- First @ Arts By First Bank: 2025 THEATREMANIAC of the Year (Corporate Organisation Award).
- MTN Foundation: 2025 THEATREMANIAC of the Year (Arts and Creative Patronage Award).
- Hon. James Abiodun Faleke: THEATREMANIAC of the Year (Youth Empowerment Champion.)
- Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode: THEATREMANIAC of the Year (Political Advocacy Award.).
The “cynosure of the night” was undoubtedly the command performance of “Grain In the Wind 4.0.” featuring powerhouse performances by Dr. Sam Uche Anyamele fta.,Titilola Aboyade-Cole (UK), Dr. Ochuko Odesa, Faloni Moyosore and Paul Uwagbai, the play left the audience in awe. The production’s technical depth and emotional resonance served as a fitting tribute to the festival’s theme of African unity and resilience.
From left: Etuviere Okhidievbie – Team lead Channel Quality (Customer Relations and Experience) and Mary Rose Enema- Analyst- Business Assurance Change Finance, MTN Foundation receiving the award THEATREMANIAC of the Year ( Arts and Creative Patronage Award) from Dr. Akin Lewis and Alayande Stephen T.(CEO/ Co-Founder, TAF).
The night also saw a continental showdown of talent via the Award competition:
- The Nominees for 2025 Best Contemporary Dance Group of the Year
Ankata Dance Company (Burkinafaso)
Avec ou Sang
Black Image Theatre (Nigeria)
Nigeria Cultural Dance
Theater RAST (TANZANIA)
Stages Places episode 15 with Samwel Japheth
The Best Contemporary Dance Group of the Year 2025 was won by Ankata Dance Company (Burkinafaso).
Mr. Claude Mwamba received the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Africa UMOJA ( South Africa) who were also inducted into TAF 2025 Hall of Fame. He received the award from the two representatives of a Royal Father -Alaguda of Aguda Ogba ( Oba Hakeem Agbaosi Eweobaja) and Alayande Stephen T. (CEO/ Co-Founder, TAF).
- The Nominees for 2025 Best Stage Design
Husband Materials – 7 Yards
Roverman Productions (Ghana)
La Boule Bleue
Academie Ivorie Marionnettes (Coted’voire)
Avec ou Sang
Ankata Dance Company (Burkinafaso)
Husband Materials – 7 Yards by Roverman Productions (Ghana) won the 2025 Best Stage Design.
- The Nominees for 2025 Best Theatre Writer/Reporter
The African Theatre Magazine
www.theafricantheatremagazine.com
(Uganda)
Splash9ja Magazine
www.splash9ja.org (Nigeria)
Showbiz Afrika Magazine
www.showbizafrika.com (Nigeria)
Ms. Ngozi Nwosu received the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Dame Taiwo Ajai-Lycett (OON) who was also inducted into TAF 2025 Hall of Fame. She received the award from Mr. Ehi Omokhuale (A veteran Voiceover Actor) and Alayande Stephen T. ,(CEO/ Co-Founder, TAF).
The 2025 Best Theatre Writer/Reporter of the Year was won by The African Theatre Magazine (Uganda).
- The Nominees for 2025 Best Stage Play
Husband Materials – 7 Yards
Roverman Productions (Ghana)
La Boule Bleue
Academie Ivorie Marionnettes (Coted’voire)
I want to Feed You
Roverman Productions (Ghana)
Gbekude Stage Play
Performing Arts TV UNILORIN (Nigeria)
Seun Akinola a.k.a Leo Skywalker ( Youth & Talent Manager) receiving the Award of THEATREMANIAC of the Year (Youth Empowerment Champion) on behalf of Hom. James Abiodun Faleke (Federal House of Representative – Ikeja Constituency ). Receiving the award from Dr. Akin Lewis (TAF BOT Chairman) & Alayande Stephen T.(CEO/ Co-Founder, TAF).
The 2025 Best Stage Play of the Year was won by La Boule Bleue, Academie Ivorie Marionettes ( Coted’voire).
- For The 2025 Generation Next Theatre (GNT).
At GNT, we nurture young talent in Primary and Secondary Schools through theatre, dance, and music. GNT discovers, mentors, and trains future African/Nollywood actors, fostering creativity, morals, and patriotism through competitions, celebrity mentoring, and performances, culminating in awards at TheatreMania Africa Festival ( TAF).
The Nominees for 2025 Generation Next Theatre (GNT) competition final are :
(a) VICMOB Schools, Shasha, Akowonjo, Lagos
(b) Love Living Spring School, Bariga, Lagos
(c) Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State.
The 2025 Generation Next Theatre (GNT) was won by Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State.
Dr. Akin Lewis (TAF BOT Chairman) receiving his own Lifetime Achievement Award after being inducted into the TAF 2025 Hall of Fame. The honour was done by Mr. Tosin Ajirire ( a Veteran Journalist & Publisher/E-I-C, Showbiz Afrika Magazine) and Alayande Stephen T.(CEO/ Co-Founder, TAF).
- 2025 TAF Awards Honourable/Single Mention
Best Costume of the Year –
La Boule Bleue
Academie Ivorie Marionnettes (Coted’voire)
Best Script Writer –
La Boule Bleue
Academie Ivorie Marionnettes (Coted’voire)
Best Producer of the Year –
La Boule Bleue
Academie Ivorie Marionnettes (Coted’voire)
Best Well-Lighted Production
La Boule Bleue
Academie Ivorie Marionnettes (Coted’voire)
TAF 2025 was supported by Shodex Gardens, Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, First @ Arts By First Bank, MTN Foundation, WAP TV, NTA, KDove Hotel, Nkan Media, QUIDBOT By Finnova, Igrek77, Surplus FXchange, Podium Empire, Eagles House Global Resoources, InnogX, Ike Bread, Platos Health, ATn T Media, Ariya TV, Walure Media, Brand Times, Brand Visibility, The Nollywood Reporter, Brand Crunch, SPLASH9JA splash9ja, THEATREDOME, Plusplace Media, Shanks TV, THM360, TSUP, Paparazzi Press, RWELLS Media, Moon TV, JYB TV, EMCOAN, Showbiz Afrika Magazine, Nelofem Media, among others.
BV.
