How FUL students use drama to promote unity, community development in Lokoja

Students of the Department of Theatre Arts, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), have concluded their 2026 Community Theatre Project with a series of drama performances aimed at promoting unity, self-help, and community development in Karaworo Community, New Layout, Lokoja.

The 300-Level students of the department carried out the outreach, as they used participatory drama to draw attention to challenges facing the community, including tribalism, poor road infrastructure, inadequate water supply, erratic electricity, and lack of collective action among residents.

Through thought-provoking playlets staged over the weekend, the students emphasised the importance of peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and communal responsibility as key drivers of sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, Gbenga Ibileye, vice-chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, described the programme as a model of effective university-community engagement, stressing that academic institutions must positively impact their host communities.

He commended Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Sheila, Tampa IV, the Etsu Lokoja, for his support and hospitality, noting that the project helps communities identify practical solutions to their challenges rather than relying entirely on government intervention.

He said: “The university hopes to establish a joint committee involving both the institution and community members to monitor issues identified during the exercise and channel them to relevant authorities where necessary.

Felix Egwuda, the Head of the Department of Theatre Arts, explained that the community theatre project forms part of a six -credit academic course undertaken by 300-level students, with their performance contributing to their examination assessment, noting that the programme operates in two phases: first, sensitising communities on identified challenges, and later returning to assess progress made by both residents and government agencies.

Egwuda emphasised that communities should not wait entirely on the government before addressing issues that can be solved through collective effort, particularly in areas such as road maintenance and water provision.

Awan David Menegbe, chairman of the 2026 Planning Committee, said the students conducted extensive field research before developing drama presentations that reflected the realities and needs of the Karaworo community.

Also speaking, Emmanuel Sunday Ikpelemoh noted that community theatre remains an important aspect of FUL’s curriculum, providing opportunities for students and residents to jointly examine social, political, and cultural challenges and develop practical solutions through drama, adding that follow-up visits to communities previously engaged by the university have recorded improvements in sanitation, security, and communal participation.

A student participant, Yakubu Paul, said the central message of the performances was that communities can achieve meaningful development when residents set aside differences and work together.

He said: “If they could be united, drop pride, tribalism and religion, come together and discuss, they could help themselves and then engage the right leaders”.

Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, the Etsu Lokoja, commended the university for using drama as a tool for community enlightenment and development, adding that the students successfully identified key issues affecting the community while promoting harmony and collective responsibility among residents.