Theatre Management and Organisational Challenges in State Arts Councils in South West Nigeria

This study examines the theatre management and organisational challenges confronting state arts councils in South West Nigeria, with focus on councils in Lagos, Oyo, and Osun states. Arts councils are mandated to coordinate, fund, and promote performing arts activities, yet most operate under persistent institutional constraints that undermine effective management. The research applies professional arts management frameworks to analyse the governance structures, funding mechanisms, and programme planning capacities of selected councils, drawing on qualitative data from interviews with council administrators, performing arts practitioners, and state cultural officers. The study finds that arts councils in the region face chronic challenges including bureaucratic inflexibility, inadequate funding from state governments, absence of strategic long-term programming, and high staff turnover due to unattractive remuneration. Additionally, the absence of a performance measurement culture within these bodies limits accountability and evidence-based planning. The research identifies a gap between the professional arts management competencies required by the contemporary cultural economy and those currently possessed by council personnel. The study concludes that targeted capacity building, restructuring towards semi-autonomous governance models, and improved funding frameworks are essential for arts councils to fulfil their development mandates. It recommends the establishment of a professional arts management training programme specifically designed for public sector arts administrators in Nigeria. Keywords: theatre management, arts councils, organisational challenges, South West Nigeria, cultural policy.