A new stage production examining the transatlantic slave trade through African history, cultural memory and storytelling is set to premiere in Lagos on October 17, with its creators hoping to encourage renewed conversations about the continent’s past and its lasting legacy.

Titled Odigbose: The Play, the production will be staged at the Agip Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos, at 7pm on Saturday.

Written by tourism and cultural entrepreneur Otunba Dr Chief Olawanle Wanle Akinboboye and produced by Atunda Entertainment, the play seeks to present the history of slavery from an African perspective.

Its organisers say the production is designed to foreground African experiences, cultural heritage and resilience while examining the human consequences of the transatlantic slave trade.

Using theatre to revisit Africa’s history

The production combines drama, traditional chants, African music, dance and storytelling to explore the capture, suffering and forced transportation of Africans during the slave trade.

Rather than focusing solely on slavery as a historical event, the play also seeks to celebrate the dignity, courage and cultural identity of African people whose histories were shaped by the trade and its consequences.

Atunda Entertainment describes the production as “The First African Account of the Slave Trade”.

The claim is the organisers’ description of the production and has not been independently established as a historical first.

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Why the production matters

The transatlantic slave trade involved the forced transportation of millions of Africans across the Atlantic over several centuries. Its consequences continue to inform discussions about African identity, cultural heritage, historical injustice and the relationship between Africa and the wider world.

Theatre offers another way to engage audiences with this history by translating historical experiences into performances that combine dialogue, movement, music and visual expression.

For younger audiences in particular, productions such as Odigbose: The Play can provide an opportunity to explore historical experiences beyond conventional classroom accounts, although the play’s historical interpretations would need to be assessed against established historical research.

Its stated objectives include encouraging Africans to preserve their collective memory and take greater ownership of narratives about the continent’s past.

The production also aims to stimulate discussions about slavery’s human cost, its effects on African communities and the importance of representing historical experiences through African voices.

Who is expected at the premiere?

The October 17 premiere is expected to attract traditional rulers, theatre practitioners, historians, scholars, cultural ambassadors, members of the diplomatic community, business leaders and other people interested in African history and heritage.

However, the organisers have not provided further details about the programme, cast, ticket prices or whether additional performances are planned.

The premiere is scheduled to begin at 7pm at the Agip Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos.

Interested attendees can contact +234 913 055 4013 for reservations and confirmation.

As the production prepares to open, its central proposition is that the history of the slave trade should be examined not only through the suffering it caused but also through the cultural identity, resilience and historical memory of the African people who endured it.

Couples have been urged to address financial expectations, parenting values, intimacy and family responsibilities before and during marriage, as discussions at the Marriage and Money Summit 2.0 highlighted the role of shared decision-making in building stable households.

The summit, convened by household economist and family advocate Dr Adetutu Afolabi in Lagos, examined how financial habits, communication, parenting choices and legal awareness can influence the stability of marriages and the financial future of families.

Unlike discussions focused mainly on romantic relationships or money management, the event explored how these issues intersect in everyday family life, including household budgeting, wealth creation, raising children and protecting family assets.

Why money conversations matter in marriage

Dr Afolabi said couples needed to see marriage as a partnership that required financial understanding, emotional connection, healthy intimacy and shared responsibility.

“A successful marriage is not built on love alone. It requires financial wisdom, emotional connection, healthy intimacy, intentional parenting and an understanding of the legal responsibilities that protect the family,” she said.

She added that decisions made within a household could have emotional, financial and generational consequences.

“When couples understand that every decision made within the home has emotional, financial and generational consequences, they begin to approach marriage as a collaborative partnership rather than an individual struggle.”

The discussions placed financial transparency and teamwork at the centre of household stability, encouraging couples to move away from secrecy and unhealthy competition over money.

Preparing for marriage beyond romance

The summit also directed attention to singles and engaged couples, encouraging them to discuss expectations about money, intimacy, children and long-term goals before making a lifelong commitment.

Such conversations can help prospective partners understand their differences and agree on how to approach shared responsibilities.

For married couples, the focus was on strengthening communication, managing household finances together and developing a common understanding of family priorities.

However, the discussions also highlighted the need to consider the different circumstances families face, including differences in earnings, financial obligations and parenting expectations.

Parenting, family law and generational wealth

Beyond relationships and household budgets, the summit examined how parenting decisions, family law and asset protection can affect a family’s long-term security.

Speakers included Pastor Bisi Adewale, Akinropo Akinola, Ifeanyi Maduka, Dr Victor Afolabi, Dr Pamela Udoka and Barrister Bisi Adebayo.

Their presentations covered relationship building, household financial management, sexual intimacy, parenting strategies, family asset protection and generational wealth planning.

The inclusion of family law broadened the discussion beyond the emotional aspects of marriage to the responsibilities and legal considerations that can arise when families acquire assets, raise children or experience disputes.

For households seeking to preserve wealth across generations, financial planning must also account for how assets are managed, documented and transferred.

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The family as an economic unit

Dr Afolabi’s approach treats the household as an economic unit in which financial decisions and relationships influence one another.

Under this approach, partners can combine their resources, skills and efforts to pursue common goals rather than treating financial success as an individual undertaking.

The idea also connects family financial literacy with wider questions about economic resilience, as household decisions can affect savings, spending, children’s welfare and long-term financial security.

Dr Afolabi said stronger families could contribute to stronger communities, making family education and household financial literacy important areas of public discussion.

What the summit’s message means for families

The Marriage and Money Summit 2.0 reinforced the importance of discussing difficult subjects before they become sources of conflict.

For couples, practical steps include agreeing on financial priorities, discussing existing obligations, setting shared goals, maintaining open communication and understanding the legal implications of major family decisions.

The summit’s central message was that affection alone may not resolve disagreements over money, parenting or responsibilities. Building a lasting partnership also requires deliberate choices, mutual understanding and a willingness to work towards shared goals.

While the event promoted a holistic approach to family development, the long-term impact of such initiatives will depend partly on whether participants apply the lessons in their homes and whether accessible marriage and financial education reaches a wider audience.

For Dr Afolabi, the goal is to encourage households to combine emotional wellbeing with financial awareness and intentional planning to build more resilient families.

Students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), are competing for a ₦1 million music prize as Soundcity OnTour brings auditions, dance contests and live entertainment to the campus from 7 to 9 October 2026.

The three-day programme, backed by Bigi and Fearless Energy Drink, brands of Nigerian food and beverage company Rite Foods Limited, is designed to give student musicians and dancers opportunities to showcase their talents.

The event’s main attractions include the BIGI Music Competition, which offers aspiring artistes a chance to compete for the campus prize, and the Fearless Dance Competition, which will feature student dancers.

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Music and dance take centre stage

The FUNAAB edition combines talent competitions with campus activations, interactive games and music performances, culminating in a grand concert on Friday, 9 October.

The programme provides students with opportunities to perform before an audience and participate in activities beyond their regular academic routines.

However, the organisers have not disclosed how the ₦1 million music prize will be awarded or whether the winning student will receive additional opportunities for music promotion or development.

What the organisers say

Biola Aransiola, brand manager for BIGI, said the initiative was intended to provide young Nigerians with platforms to express their creativity and gain visibility.

“Young Nigerians are full of talent, creativity and big dreams, and we want to create spaces where they can bring their creativity to life,” Aransiola said.

She added that Soundcity OnTour allows the organisers to engage students directly and identify emerging talent.

“We are excited to see what FUNAAB brings to the stage,” she said.

From 10 campuses to a 20-campus tour

The FUNAAB activation forms part of the Soundcity OnTour 2026 programme, which the organisers say has expanded to 20 campuses after debuting at 10 institutions in 2023.

According to Rite Foods, previous stops have included the University of Lagos, Yaba College of Technology, Pan-Atlantic University, Olabisi Onabanjo University, the University of Uyo, the University of Calabar, Obafemi Awolowo University, the University of Port Harcourt, Niger Delta University and Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria.

The tour combines music, dance and student participation, with BIGI focusing on music competitions and Fearless Energy Drink supporting the dance component.

Can campus competitions open doors for young talent?

University talent competitions can give emerging performers opportunities to build confidence, reach new audiences and connect with people in the entertainment industry.

For students seeking careers in music and dance, however, the longer-term value of such events depends on whether exposure is followed by sustained opportunities, professional guidance and access to the wider creative economy.

Rite Foods has not announced whether the FUNAAB competition winners will receive support beyond the advertised prize and the event itself.

The company’s campus activation also places its brands in front of young consumers through entertainment and interactive experiences.

Bigi and Fearless Energy Drink are products of Rite Foods Limited, a Nigerian food and beverage company.

For FUNAAB students, the programme’s final day on 9 October will bring the three-day activation to a close, with music, dance and the opportunity for emerging performers to showcase their abilities.