Nigerian Theatre Takes Leah Sharibu’s Story to Johannesburg Festival
By Matthew Eloyi
Nigeria’s Arojah Royal Theatre is set to take the story of Leah Sharibu, the schoolgirl abducted by Boko Haram in 2018, to an international audience in Johannesburg, South Africa, with the presentation of its acclaimed stage production, LEAH, at the Cradle of Creativity Festival 2026.
The Nigerian theatre company will represent the country at the international festival, organised by ASSITEJ South Africa and scheduled to hold at The Market Theatre, Johannesburg, from August 31 to September 6, 2026. LEAH is billed for three performances at the Barney Simon Theatre on September 4, 5 and 6.
Written and directed by Jerry Adesewo, the production draws inspiration from the true-life story of Leah Sharibu, who was among more than 100 girls abducted from Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, by Boko Haram in February 2018.
While most of the abducted schoolgirls were later released, Leah remained in captivity, with uncertainty continuing to surround her fate. The play transforms the unresolved story into an exploration of courage, faith, resilience, education, memory and the devastating impact of conflict on children and young people.
According to the festival programme, LEAH follows the protagonist’s journey from being a carefree schoolgirl in Dapchi through her abduction, captivity, forced marriage and motherhood, while highlighting the resilience and hope that sustain her.
The production also seeks to give voice to numerous children and young people affected by conflict and displacement.
For Adesewo, the Johannesburg presentation provides an opportunity to ensure that Leah’s story remains part of public consciousness.
“LEAH is ultimately about remembering,” Adesewo, who is the playwright, director and Artistic Director of Arojah Royal Theatre, said.
He explained that the production reflects on what happens when a young person disappears and the world gradually moves on, adding that theatre provides an avenue to keep Leah’s story alive without claiming knowledge of what ultimately happened to her.
The presentation is also considered significant because the 2026 edition of the Cradle of Creativity coincides with the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, in which young people protested apartheid education policies.
The festival is consequently placing young people’s courage, activism, creativity and capacity for transformation at the centre of its artistic programme.
Arojah Royal Theatre said its participation would provide an avenue for Nigeria to contribute to broader African and international conversations on children, conflict, human rights, memory and the transformative power of theatre.
The production features Folashade Olafisoye as Leah, Ezra Ibrahim as Commander/Captor and Music/Assistant Director, Banji Joshua Olayiwola as Shuaib/Idris, drummer and Stage Manager, while Felicia Fadeke Jerry-Adesewo handles costume, make-up and administration and also plays Mama Leah. Pope Egbuche is the Technical Director.
The 60-minute production is recommended for audiences aged 13 and above. Its scheduled performances are Friday, September 4 at 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 5 at 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, September 6 at 11:30 a.m.
The Cradle of Creativity Festival is an international platform for theatre and performing arts for children and young people, bringing together productions from Africa and the wider international theatre community, alongside workshops, professional development activities and intercultural exchange.
Beyond showcasing a Nigerian production, Arojah Royal Theatre’s participation is expected to promote Nigerian storytelling and contribute to discussions on Theatre for Young Audiences, inclusive artistic practice and the use of performing arts to confront difficult social realities.
With LEAH, the company is taking to Johannesburg the story of a young Nigerian girl whose life was violently disrupted, a family left with unanswered questions and a nation challenged to remember.
The production is expected to challenge audiences to reflect on the consequences of forgetting and the role of theatre in preserving the stories of vulnerable children.
Arojah Royal Theatre, founded and led by Adesewo, is an Abuja-based independent theatre company committed to creating original Nigerian theatre, developing artists, promoting cultural exchange and using theatre for social reflection, advocacy and community engagement.
Following its Johannesburg engagement, LEAH is scheduled to return to Nigeria for a public performance in Abuja on September 27, 2026, at Whisper Art Haus, Maitama.
