Assessment of Drama Practitioner Welfare and Social Security in South South Nigeria

Theatre practitioners in South South Nigeria often work in informal conditions without social protection, and documenting their welfare challenges provides evidence for arts labour policy reform. This study assessed welfare conditions and social security access among professional drama practitioners in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Calabar, South South Nigeria. A descriptive survey was conducted among 120 practitioners selected through purposive sampling from theatre companies and independent artists. The questionnaire assessed income stability, health insurance access, pension coverage, housing security, and experience of occupational hazards. Results showed that 78.3 percent of respondents had no health insurance coverage. Only 11.7 percent had accessed any form of pension or retirement savings scheme. Monthly income was below the national minimum wage in 53.3 percent of cases. Occupational hazards including voice strain and physical performance injuries were reported by 64.2 percent. Practitioners with institutional affiliations (university or government arts centre positions) showed significantly better welfare conditions than independent artists. Female practitioners reported additional barriers including gender pay disparity and limited performance opportunities after childbirth. The study concludes that drama practitioners in South South Nigeria experience significant welfare deficits with minimal social protection. Recommendations include advocacy for arts worker welfare legislation, establishing a Nigeria Drama Practitioners Cooperative for collective health coverage, and creating emergency welfare funds through state arts councils in Rivers, Delta, and Cross River States.

Keywords: drama practitioner welfare, social security, South South Nigeria, arts labour, performance industry