Examining the Research Gap in Theatre for Development Evaluation Frameworks Adapted for Northern Nigerian Contexts

Theatre for Development evaluation frameworks used in international development programming are predominantly derived from Southern African and East African contexts, and their application to northern Nigerian cultural and institutional environments requires systematic critical examination and adaptation. This study examined the research gap in TfD evaluation frameworks adapted for northern Nigerian contexts through systematic literature review and primary stakeholder research. A systematic scoping review of nine databases identified 41 publications providing TfD evaluation frameworks from 2018 to 2024, of which only 4 addressed northern Nigerian or comparable Sahel-Saharan contexts. Most frameworks assumed literate, gender-mixed, voluntary participation structures that are inconsistent with many northern Nigerian community settings. Primary research comprised interviews with 25 TfD practitioners and programme evaluators with experience in Kano, Sokoto, Maiduguri, and Katsina States, identifying evaluation framework limitations encountered in practice. Five critical contextual mismatches were identified: gender-segregated audience dynamics not reflected in standard participation assessments, religious sensitivity constraints on performance content not addressed in standard ethical frameworks, literacy requirements in evaluation instruments, absence of family-level impact assessment, and inadequate sensitivity to security contexts affecting voluntary participation. The study proposes an original Northern Nigerian TfD Evaluation Framework addressing these five mismatches. Recommendations include adopting the proposed framework in TfD programme evaluations in North West and North East Nigeria and testing it in three programmes with independent evaluation oversight.

Keywords: Theatre for Development evaluation, northern Nigeria, cultural adaptation, programme assessment, evaluation framework