Grace Owoola Oyin-Adejobi: The last echo of Yorùbá travelling theatre

WHEN the curtain rose on the golden age of Yoruba travelling theatre in the 1950s, few could have imagined that a young woman from Osogbo would become one of the enduring faces of a cultural movement that would shape generations of Nigerian entertainers.

Today, at over nine decades old, Grace Owoola Oyin-Adejobi, fondly known as Iya Osogbo, remains one of the last surviving links to an era when theatre troupes travelled from town to town, transforming school halls, community centres and open fields into stages of imagination, culture and moral instruction.

I first knew mama on the TV series titled “Kòòtù Asípa”. It was an Oyin Adejobi’s production on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in the 80s. She acts effortlessly! Movies like Àyànmọ́ by Ade Afolayan, Ayé by Hubert Ogunde, and some others were in the cinemas and it was not everyone who went to watch, but NTA, Ibadan, made it easy for us to still get entertained. She was a regular face on TV.

To many Nigerians, she is remembered as the devoted wife of the late theatre legend, Oyin Adejobi. But beyond that identity lies the story of a woman whose talent, resilience and commitment to the arts helped build one of the most influential theatre traditions in Nigeria.

Born on August 23, 1931, in Osogbo, present-day Osun State, Mama Grace grew up in a family where industry and enterprise were highly valued. Her father was a contractor and an educated multilingual man, while her mother traded to support the family. Like many girls of her generation, formal education was limited. She attended All Saints School, Osogbo, before leaving school around Standard Four. Determined to make a living, she learned cloth designing and established herself as a tailor. Long before she became a household name, Mama Grace was already drawn to performance. School activities, sporting events and cultural programmes provided avenues for her natural flair for the stage. That passion found expression in 1953 when Oyin Adejobi returned from Lagos and established the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group in Osogbo. She joined the troupe and quickly emerged as one of its leading actresses.

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What began as an artistic collaboration soon blossomed into a lifelong partnership. The relationship between Grace and Oyin Adejobi transcended marriage. Together, they became cultural ambassadors, using theatre as a vehicle to educate, entertain and preserve Yoruba values. For decades, they travelled across the Western Region and beyond, staging productions that tackled family life, morality, tradition, justice and social responsibility. Their performances resonated deeply with audiences because they reflected everyday realities while drawing from the richness of Yoruba language and folklore. As the theatre company expanded, so did its influence. The Oyin Adejobi Theatre Company became one of the most successful travelling theatre groups in Nigeria, producing stage plays, television dramas and films that left an indelible mark on the country’s entertainment landscape. The troupe also served as a training ground for future stars. Among those who passed through its ranks were celebrated actors such as Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande), Lere Paimo (Eda), Professor Kola Oyewo and Dayo Akinpelu, all of whom would go on to become prominent figures in Yoruba theatre and Nollywood. For mama, the stage became both a workplace and a second home. Through productions such as Orogun Adedigba, Kootu Asipa, Iya Olobi, Ile Iwosan, Ekuro Oloja, Kuye, Ti Oluwa Ni Ile, Omo Inu Oku, Ogun Adubi, Akoni Mefa and Alakada, she established herself as one of the most recognisable female performers of her generation.

Her popularity earned her the nickname ‘Iya Osogbo,’ a name that would eventually eclipse her birth name in public consciousness. The title reflected not only her roots in Osogbo but also the affection and admiration she commanded among theatre lovers. It became her nickname after acting in a TV production titled: Ẹran Iya Osogbo. Away from the stage, she was also a mother and custodian of a growing artistic dynasty. Her children inherited the family’s passion for the arts and media. One son, Adediran Oyin-Adejobi, worked with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), while another, Bola Oyin-Adejobi, pursued careers in music and acting, helping to sustain the family’s creative legacy. Sola Oyin-Adejobi acts Christian Drama.

As one of the last surviving icons of the golden age of travelling theatre, she remains not only a witness to history but also one of its most treasured custodians. In her remarkable journey lies the story of a woman who helped keep the stage lights shining for generations to come. Mama Grace Owoola Oyin-Adejobi is presently the oldest living female actor in Nigeria.