Founding Leadership
At the heart of NTN’s origin stands Chief Hubert A. Ogunde, whose appointment on 22 March 1989 marked the formal birth of Nigeria’s national troupe. His “Ososa Experiment” gathered one hundred pioneering artistes to fuse folk music, dance and drama into groundbreaking stage works. Under his guidance, the troupe’s first tours and workshops set enduring standards for excellence and cultural preservation across the federation.
Enduring Legacy & Inspiration
Each past leader has contributed a unique vision—whether strengthening institutional capacity, expanding global tours or integrating technology into our craft. Their collective legacy lives on in every NTN performance, training programme and archival project. As we honor their achievements, we carry forward their spirit of innovation and dedication to Nigeria’s rich cultural tapestry.
Past Leadership
Ahmed Mohammed
2021 - 2024
Spearheaded partnerships with global cultural festivals & doubled workshop participation through collaborations
Comrade Tar Ukoh
2016 - 2021
Pioneered zonal talent hunts in all six geopolitical zones, uncovering and nurturing dozens of new artistes
Akin Adejuwon
2014 - 2016
Focused on digital archiving, launching the first online repository of videos, scripts and press materials
Martin Adaji
2011 - 2014
Commissioned cross-disciplinary works, and secured the troup's first UNESCO funding for heritage documentation
Ahmed Yerima
2000 - 2010
Broadened and showcased NTN's footprint at Expo 2000 and MASA, and launched the Theatre-in-Schools programme.
Bayo Oduneye
1991 - 2000
Fortified the troupe’s framework, launched the National Playwrights Competition and expanded tours to over 15 states
Chief Hubert A. Ogunde
1989 - 1990
Laid the artistic foundation of NTN through the “Ososa Experiment”, setting standards for excellence & cultural diplomacy
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