Professional Evaluation of Nigerian Theatre Festivals as Economic Development Mechanisms

Theatre festivals in Nigeria combine cultural programming with economic activity, and professionally evaluating their economic development contribution provides evidence for arts and creative economy policy. This study professionally evaluated the economic development impact of three major Nigerian theatre festivals: the Lagos Theatre Festival, the Abuja Arts and Theatre Festival, and the Ibadan International Theatre Festival. A mixed evaluation methodology combined economic impact analysis using visitor spending data, structured interviews with 30 festival organisers and 15 government tourism and cultural officials, and surveys distributed to 300 festival attendees across the three festivals. Economic impact calculations applied multiplier coefficients to direct visitor spending in hospitality, transportation, retail, and arts services. Results showed that the Lagos Theatre Festival generated an estimated N85 million in direct economic activity per festival cycle, with a total impact of approximately N142 million when indirect and induced effects were included. The Abuja and Ibadan festivals showed smaller but economically meaningful impacts. All three festivals reported significant gaps between government financial support and actual economic contribution. Recommendations include a formal economic impact assessment requirement for all government-supported theatre festivals, increased arts council investment proportional to demonstrated economic return, a national theatre festival calendar to prevent date clashes, and development of year-round festival-associated creative industry activities to extend economic benefits beyond festival dates.

Keywords: theatre festivals, economic development, Nigeria, creative economy, arts festivals