To enhance international cultural and academic ties dynamically, Lekan Balogun, a playwright, theatre director, and lecturer at the University of Leeds, has begun to tour selected Nigerian universities on the University of Leeds’ cultural exchange programme. The university’s School of Performance and Cultural Industries cultural exchange programme is aimed at bridging the gap between Nigerian and UK creative industries.
Balogun, whose career spans over three decades in both creative arts and academia, is spearheading this exchange as part of Leeds’ broader international strategy. His deep-rooted connection to Nigeria and extensive experience abroad uniquely position him to facilitate this cross-cultural dialogue.
Before teaching at Leeds, Balogun taught playwright, African and Diaspora theatre, performance aesthetics, and Dramaturgy at the University of Lagos. He earned his PhD at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand focusing on Shakespeare Adaptation and Intercultural Performance Studies. He is also the recipient of an Andrew W. Mellon and Georg Forster Alexander von Humboldt scholarly fellowships.
Balogun disclosed that the programme, which involves practical performance workshops, dialogue, and experience exchange, would involve the curatorial and cultural expertise performance artist, Segun Adefila. Adefila will also be visiting Leeds to share homegrown experiences with scholars and creative industry players in the UK.
The program, which kicked off at the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta—Balogun’s alma mater—focuses on integrating Nigerian artistic expressions with UK academic insights. The Leed’s scholar did not disclose the names of other universities he would be visiting for security reasons.
Speaking with journalists, Balogun said ” This initiative marks a unique opportunity for Nigerian universities to engage with international perspectives and practices. This cultural exchange is designed to create a global conversation between our creative practices and academic research,” Balogun noted. “It’s an opportunity to enrich both Nigerian and UK cultural landscapes through meaningful collaboration.”
“One of the key aspects of the initiative involves partnering with Segun Adefila, a well-known Nigerian performance artist, to bring a slice of Nigerian performance art to the UK. This collaboration aims to highlight Nigerian creativity while also engaging with students and scholars in the UK.”
“ It represents a vital step toward building stronger global connections and advancing the shared knowledge and appreciation of diverse cultural traditions.”
He said that the cultural exchange programme, which includes stops at several Nigerian universities, is not only a showcase of Nigerian culture but also a platform for interactive workshops and discussions. Balogun believes that this exchange will contribute significantly to human capital development in Nigeria by fostering a blend of academic learning and practical creative experience.
Balogun’s interest in Nigeria’s creative and academic sectors aligns with Leeds’ commitment to fostering international partnerships and expanding the global reach of its academic and creative programs. By bridging these cultural and academic gaps, the program promises to enhance the educational and creative opportunities available to Nigerian students and professionals.
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