FirstBank of Nigeria has joined forces with the renowned Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) in a strategic partnership designed to promote arts and culture in the region.

The collaboration signifies a key alliance aimed at boosting the visibility of emerging artists and fostering cultural exchange within and beyond Nigeria.

As the festival prepares to kick off from November 14 to 17, FirstBank is set to enhance the festival’s impact, providing artists with increased opportunities to develop and showcase their talents.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Mr. Oluseyi Oyefeso, the Executive Director of Retail Banking at FirstBank, highlighted the bank’s vision of supporting the growth of the creative industry and empowering youth through its partnership with the Lagos International Theatre Festival.

“Our collaboration with the Lagos International Theatre Festival aligns with our goal of nurturing the creative industry and empowering young talents to pursue their artistic passions,” Oyefeso remarked.

He emphasized that this partnership represents a crucial step towards preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage and contributing to the global narrative on African art.

Oyefeso also underscored FirstBank’s recognition of the arts as a significant economic contributor.

“The creative industry, encompassing film, music, literature, and live performances, plays a significant role in Nigeria’s economy. By supporting events like the Lagos International Theatre Festival, the bank not only enriches our cultural heritage but also bolsters job creation and the broader arts ecosystem, which encompasses stage designers, sound engineers, and marketers,” he elaborated.

Bolanle Austen-Peters, the visionary behind LITF, also shared insights at the event, emphasizing that the festival will be an annual celebration highlighting live theatre and Nigerian stage productions.

“After several world-class plays that we have promoted locally and internationally and after training more than 26,000 youngsters through the Terra Academy for the Arts, we are delighted to be using LITF to draw attention to live theatre, determined to continue to lead the charge that stage plays are alive and well in Nigeria,” she said.

Austen-Peters, who is also the Founder of Terra Kulture, drew from her over 22-year industry expertise and commitment to nurturing Nigerian talent to create this groundbreaking festival.

“I didn’t want to do this festival,” she said, “but I recognised that as a front liner with Terra Kulture 22 years later, creating jobs, creating opportunities with an academy that has trained over 24,000 young people today, I had no choice but to do it.”

A Nollywood veteran, Jide Kosoko, appreciated FirstBank for its immense support over the years for the creative art industry in Nigeria, noting that the bank has always been there for the industry.

The veteran actor also appreciated Austen-Peters for coming up with the initiative, adding that the Lagos International Theatre Festival will further promote Nigeria’s art and culture to the world.

FirstBank’s involvement with LITF is part of its broader First@Arts initiative, which has supported cultural projects and creative entrepreneurs over the years.

The bank has long recognized the significance of arts and culture as vital pillars for national development and societal growth.

This year’s edition of the Lagos International Theatre Festival promises a lineup that features a blend of contemporary and traditional performances, with themes touching on identity, resilience, and innovation.