The establishment of the Department of Performing Arts was approved in the year 2003 in the Faculty of Arts. It accommodates two creative programmes, the Performing Arts programme and the Music programme, respectively. Music emerged in 2018 and has since made tremendous growth.
The department, as an umbrella for two creative programmes, was set up for the purpose of nurturing students who will specialise in different aspects of the performing arts and music, respectively, and equipping them with the skills needed to impart knowledge in the different aspects of Nigerian society, and also to make them employable and employers of labour in the creative industries.
Vision
The Performing Arts and Music Programmes are envisioned to provide cultural and creative research and performance opportunities. They equip the students with a profound orientation in critical theories and philosophies, which the tripartite arts of drama, dance and music have generated and which have guided them through history.
This knowledge will develop in them the ability to formulate new criteria, advance new paradigms and break the barriers of conservative restrictions with special relevance to the evolution of society and the immediate needs of man.
Academic Programmes
The department offers undergraduate programmes in performing arts and music which are designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required in the diverse areas of arts, applied theatre, music therapy, management, directing, film, design and technology, music production, music education, composition, choral music, conducting, acting, dance and choreography, costumes, masks and makeup design, media, and management.
All students experience both theory and in-depth hands-on practical engagement through different levels in each session, which is in line with standard practice.
Research Areas
The department promotes a vibrant academic community where students, staff, and researchers collaborate to advance learning. Through attendance and participation in seminars, conferences, and community-based engagements, the department contributes to both local and global knowledge.
Research in performing arts and music programmes revolves around areas such as:
- Applied Theatre
- Ethnomusicology
- African Traditional Music and Dance
- Choreography
- Choral Music and Conducting
- Composition
- Musical Arts Education
- Acting and Directing
- Media and Management
- Light and Set Design
- Costume, Mask and Makeup Design
- Film Theory and Criticism
- Gender Studies
- Music Theory
- Musicology
Facilities for Student Training
The department is well equipped with modern facilities to support research, teaching and practice:
- Lecture rooms and theatre: for teaching theoretical courses
- Scene Workshops: a large workshop in which all the construction of sets is done
- Music Studio: For the use of sound production or music production
- Pit Theatre: A large-capacity theatre where all plays and music productions are staged
- Media Studio: It houses all media equipment and media recording activities.
- Office Accommodation: Academic staff have a conducive office space.
- Costume Room: This houses all forms of costumes in the department.
Departmental Organogram
Mr Oluwafemi Ademola JACOB
femijacob@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3483-755X
Google scholar citation: 7; h index: 2; i10-index: 0
+234 8060202379
Oluwafemi Ademola JACOB is a Lecturer I and researcher in Theatre, Culture and Performance Studies in the Department of Performing Arts, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria. He is currently on his PhD programme in the Department of Dramatic Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is researching on A Study of Identity, Empowerment and Community Development of selected Eegun Dances of the Badagry People of Lagos State. He is currently serving as the Acting Head of Department of Performing Arts, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.
His research interest is in theatre, culture and performance studies with concentration on the sociological dimensions that performing arts share with its immediate environment. Through practical engagements within and outside the university, he is able to reflect the diversity embedded in the multi-ethnicity nature of Nigeria at large and the developmental potentials in the society. His passion revolves around sharing knowledge. He has more than ten publications in national and international reputable journals, and has contributed to advancing knowledge in theatre, dance and performance studies.
Presently as the Acting Head of Department, he oversees academic administration, curriculum development, staff coordination, as well as students’ growth and development. He is committed to fostering a culture of artistic excellence, ensemble collaboration, and creative innovation within the Performing Arts and Music Programme respectively. His leadership is directed toward strengthening both programmes visibility and impact in both academic and professional theatre and music circles.
Recent Publications
- Jacob, O.A. and Esiakpere, E.O. (2024). Sexual Portrayal on Screen in Contemporary Nigeria: A Discourse of Big Brother Naija Reality Television Show. The Quint: An Interdisciplinary Quarterly from the North, Canada: University of the North.
- Jacob, O.A. (2024). Reality Shows and Its Socio-Economic Benefits on the Nigerian Entertainment Industry. The Creative Artist: A Journal of Theatre and Media Studies. Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
- Jacob, O.A. (2024). Training a Dancer within the University Milieu: An Examination of Ojo Rasaki Bakare’s Approach. in FUOYE Journal of Contemporary Humanities and Social Sciences (JCHSS). 2, (1 & 2).
- Jacob, O.A. (2024). A Discourse of the Movement Motifs in Fisherman Dance of the Epe People of Lagos State. in Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development (JASSD). 7, (3).
- Jacob, O.A. (2024). Dance as Antidepressants amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown. Dance Journal of Nigeria (DJN), a Journal of the Association of Dance Scholars and Practitioners of Nigeria (ADSPON). 5. (1).
- Jacob, O. A. and Adebiyi, A.O. (2024). Teaching and Learning of Dance and Choreography: A Mathematical Approach. Journal of Nursery and Primary Education Instructors in Nigeria (JNPEIN). 6. (1).
- Jacob, O.A. (2025). An Examination of Movements and Oral Poetry in the Performances of the Yoruba Bàtá Dance. Journal of Yoruba Studies Review.
Academic Staff
Dr. Olusola Smith Adeyemi – Lecturer I (Applied Theatre, Theatre Management and Film Theory/Criticism) olusola.adeyemi@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0001-7625-7863; Google Scholar Citations: 15; h-index: 2; i10-index: 0 (+234 8060351483) Office Rm. 011
Dr. Kayode Olanrewaju Olusola – Lecturer I (Music Theory, Composition and Musicology) kayode.olusola@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0002-3386-4791; Google Scholar Citations: ; h-index: ; i10-index: (+234 8023319783) Office Rm. 006
Dr. Sunday Olufemi Akande – Lecturer I (Musical Arts Education, Gender Studies, Popular Music, Music Law and Therapy) olufemi.akande@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0001-7536-4333; Google Scholar Citations: 1; h-index: 1; i10-index: 0 (+234 8057707608) Office Rm. 004
Mrs. Adesimbo Oluwakemi Odule – Lecturer I (Costume, Masks and Makeup Design and Construction) odule.adesimbo@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0002-6650-8623; Google Scholar Citations: ; h-index: ; i10-index: (+234 8062331229) Office Rm. 003
Dr. Opeyemi Adeyinka Asaolu – Lecturer II (Church Music, Performance, Nigerian Art Music, Choral Music, Conducting, Music and Politics, Music and Media) opeyemi.asaolu@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0002-4902-1991; Google Scholar Citations: 1; h-index: ; i10-index: (+234 8038228955) Office Rm. 013
Mr. Adeyemi Oluwadamilare Oresanya – Lecturer II (Theatre Directing, Children’s Theatre, Performance Studies, Film and Media Studies) adeyemi.oresanya@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0002-9017-3049; Google Scholar Citations: 5; h-index: 1; i10-index: (+234 7060678605) Office Rm. 009
Mr. Henry Kunle Afabor – Assistant Lecturer (Theatre Design and Technology) afaborkunle@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0000-0002-4974-5711; Google Scholar Citations: ; h-index: ; i10-index: (+234 7068350481) Office Rm. 008
Mr. Adetoyese Oladapo Adeyeye – Assistant Lecturer (Music Technology and African Music) adetoyese.adeyeye@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0009-0007-6863-9416; Google Scholar Citations: ; h-index: ; i10-index: (+234 8066510178) Office Rm. 014
Arts Fellow Staff
Dr. Adejoke Adetoun Fadirepo – Director of Arts (Acting, Performance Studies, Criticism) fadirepo.adejoke@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: Google Scholar Citations: 1; h-index: 1; i10-index: (+234 8057058772) Office Rm. 005
Mr. Babajide Olatunji Ogunlana – Junior Arts Fellow (Acting, Performance Studies, Criticism) fadirepo.adejoke@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng Orcid ID: 0009-0005-9915-5620; Google Scholar Citations: ; h-index: ; i10-index: (+234 7036955569) Office Rm. 007
Non Academic Staff
Mrs. Abosede .M. Adetayo – Costume Designer adetayo.abosede@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng +234 8035607553. Office Rm. 012
Mrs. Inmo Adedoja – Senior Secretarial Assistant II inmoadedoja@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng +234 8163594604. Office Rm. 002
Mr. Ganiyu Oluseun Azeez – Senior Clerical Officer oluseunazeez@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng +234 8073308688. Office Rm. 002
Contact Information
- Address: Performing Arts Building, Office Rm. 010, Department of Performing Arts, Faculty of Arts, Main Campus.
- Email: per.dept@oouagoiwoye.edu.ng
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM