Dance can take Nigeria’s cultural heritage to global stage - Ololade
Nigerian choreographer Egbaiyelo Abisola Ololade advocates for increased investment in traditional and contemporary dance to preserve cultural heritage. She emphasizes that dance serves as a living archive and a tool for modern storytelling.
Why it matters
It highlights the role of the creative economy in national identity and cultural preservation in developing nations.
Layer 1 Nigerian dance artist, choreographer and creative coordinator, Egbaiyelo Abisola Ololade, has called for greater investment in dance as a tool for preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage and strengthening the country’s identity on the global stage.
Ololade said traditional and contemporary dance could play a greater role in telling Nigeria’s stories, promoting cultural exchange and showcasing the country’s diverse heritage to international audiences.
Speaking on the evolving role of dance in Nigeria’s creative economy, she noted that traditional dance forms had historically served purposes beyond entertainment, preserving the histories, beliefs, celebrations and social structures of communities across the country.
She identified traditional forms such as Bata, Atilogwu, Egungun and Swange as examples of cultural expressions that have transmitted knowledge and traditions across generations through movement, rhythm, costumes and music.
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