Manny Ita
The Chief Executive of the newly renamed Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Mrs. Tola Akerele, has returned Nigeria to the forefront of global cultural discourse following her high-profile participation at the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) Congress in New York.
Held from January 13 to 15, 2026, the congress gathered approximately 500 arts leaders from over 50 countries under the theme “Resilience: A Global Dialogue,” a forum dedicated to ensuring cultural institutions remain financially sustainable and impactful despite dwindling public funds and geopolitical pressures. Mrs. Akerele, representing Nigeria’s premier cultural monument, was featured on a high-level panel titled “Breaking Out of the Silo,” where she discussed the necessity of forging innovative partnerships between traditional arts circles, corporate sponsors, and interdisciplinary creative networks to ensure institutional survival in a modern economy.
During her address, Mrs. Akerele presented the Nigerian creative landscape as a premier case study for cultural self-sustainability, arguing that the nation’s ability to thrive despite limited public funding serves as a blueprint for the international community. She asserted that “Nigeria has been navigating cultural self-sustainability for years,” emphasizing that authentic cross-sector collaboration allows culture to function simultaneously as a community asset and a potent economic driver.
Her presentation further detailed how Nigerian institutions are currently adapting to global economic shifts and nurturing local talent to enhance the country’s cultural diplomacy, effectively positioning Nigeria as both a major exporter of creative content and a strategic contributor to global conversations on arts funding.
The ISPA Congress is recognized as a leading international forum for performing arts professionals to exchange best practices on digital innovation, audience engagement, and creative entrepreneurship. By participating in these high-level dialogues, Mrs. Akerele has reinforced the growing trend of Nigerian cultural leaders gaining international visibility and shaping the global arts narrative. This engagement is expected to attract significant opportunities for cross-border cultural exchanges, further solidifying the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts as a pivotal hub for artistic excellence and strategic international collaboration.
