Advisory Board

Lawson studied architecture at the Architectural Association School, London between 1978 and 1985 with a knack for traditional African and High-tech design styles. Upon his return to Nigeria, he studied earth construction techniques and worked on the design and built the Bauchi State Museum in 1987. In 1990, he set up Total Consult, worked on many commercial and residential building projects, also into designing Stage sets.

 In 1990, he established Total Consult, a construction firm, and worked on several commercial and residential construction projects; designing Stage sets and Public space projects that include; The Motherlan’ performance centre, University of Lagos Anniversary Park and the Kalakuta Museum, Freedom Park Lagos to name a few. By so doing, TOTAL CONSULT had grown to be reocgnised as a force to reckon with, a market leader of over a fifteen year period. In the wake of the new millennium precisely in 1999, Theo Lawson teamed up with other designers to form the “C.I.A.”(Creative Intelligence Agency), a Collaborative venture that nurtured and executed ideas for Lagos in the Millennium. 

Lawson is the fiancé of Yeni Kuti, daughter of the late Afro-beat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

He has been an Arts and Culture Journalist/Communicator/Curator for over three decades, writing on/and working mostly in the areas of Performing Arts, Film, Visual Arts, Literature, Festivals and other areas of the creative industry. He worked as the Arts and Media Editor of The Guardian (Daily) between 1992 and 2003; was Editor of The Guardian on Sunday and The GuardianLife magazine 2003 to 2013. He is Executive Programme Director of the Culture Advocates Caucus, CAC, a not-for-profit cultural advocacy organisation, which also consults on Culture and Art programming and curating, including designing and directing festivals in the areas of Literature, Film, Theatre, Visual Arts and Music. He has offered curatorial services for the Federal Republic of Germany (through the Goethe Institut); the French Embassy through the Alliance Francaise; the Italian Consulate; the Public Affairs Section of the US embassy; as well as the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism through its various agencies. He is also a Consultant on media training with clients among top Nigerian media and allied institutions. He is Programme Chair of the decades-old prime culture advocacy organisation, Committee for Relevant Art, CORA, promoters of the famous annual ‘culture picnic’, Lagos Book &Art Festival, LABAF, which he has directed for over two decades now. He is one of the three founders of the iREPRESENT International Documentary Film Festival, iREP. He is on the Artistic Board of the Market for African Performing Arts, MASA in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire. He is immediate past country chairman, and West Africa Representative of Arterial Network – the pan-African network of artists, culture actors and producers, creative entrepreneurs, and artist organisations.

Sarah Boulous is a dynamic personality with a heart to serve humanity. She was born in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in 1970, by a French mother to Fadoul, a prestigious Lebanese family. Between 1978-1986, she was educated at L’ecole des Roches in France. Relocating to her father’s land, the affable Sarah graduated after majoring in Biology from a Lebanese High School in 1988. In the same year, she got married to her heartthrob, Massad Boulos. The lovebirds settled afterwards at Houston, Texas, USA.

In the United States, she was educated at San Jacinto College, later on at Houston Baptist University where she bagged a degree in Biology in the year 1994.  Upon graduation, Sarah volunteered for Red Cross and later with the UNICEF as Public Health officer while she enrolled for a Master in International and Public Health. This was followed by her years of meritorious service at the Texas Public Health Department before relocating to Lagos, Nigeria in 1996 to assume role as Director of Trading and Logistics Manager in SCOA Nigeria Plc owned by her father.

In 2003, she floated La Pointe, a successful business in highbrow Victoria Island, Lagos. In May 2003, she purposefully pursued her divine calling which is to “dance for God and build a performing art centre”. The plan also aimed at building a facility for the teaching of comprehensive performance in Nigeria. Losing seven of her beloved family members in a late December 2003 disaster inspired the need to care for the downtrodden, and the founding of the multi-award winning Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), a registered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in December 2004.

Sarah is very much active in the art scene both as an artiste, curator and sponsor.  She is an instructor at SPAN tutoring Ballet, Latin Dances, Ballroom, Modern Dance, Hip Hop, Salsa, African Dance. Argentine Tango, Naija Urban and Jazz dance styles respectively with no less than 60 students. Since the inception of SPAN, she has produced five children plays and 30 dance recitals. Such is her unalloyed passion for children for the expression of their talents as well as being inspired for greatness.

As part of her frantic contribution to Arts development in Nigeria, Sarah was part of the think tank of the successful dance reality show – Celebrity Takes Two; and one of the major pillars of support for the Spirit of David Gospel Dance Group tour to Burkina Faso and Ghana. Sarah Boulous was a member of the Lagos State constituted Lagos@50 committee set up during the golden jubilee celebration of the state in 2017. She has also acted in Jude Idada’s SANKARA in 2018. As an arts administrator with appreciable experiences in theoretical and practical knowledge of performance Arts, she is the judge and advisor to WORLD of Dance Nigeria and the principal of Helen of Gardy drama academy.

With her zealousness comes the thirst for profound knowledge of the performing Arts. Sarah is a scholar in Creativity and Management, she has trained at different workshops in different parts of the world amongst which includes: Performing Art Board Executive at the Kennedy Centre (USA), Workshops in Contemporary African (with Dayo Liadi) and Ballroom (with Dave Campbell), Dance training teachers’ certification from Pro. Pierre Dib of the Nameless Dance Academy, Lebanon Andrea Haenggi movement and body analyzation, Dance training in Lebanon USA and Darc Festival in Châteauroux, France in different Dance genre; such as Jazz, Tap, Latin and Ballroom, Flamenco, Indian traditional dance, Rock Acrobatic, Hip-hop and Contemporary dance, Training at Midwest Clinic in Chicago. She equally holds leadership Master’s program with the African Centre for Theological Studies.

Sarah Boulous is a Fellow of the Institute of Registered Exercise Professionals, a certified Zumba instructor, and a certified creative dance instructor at the CREATIVE DANCE CENTER, Washington State. She is currently learning the ISTD ballet and tap technique, gunning for a AIDT certification with VALS THE DANCE STUDIO. Interestingly, she is a certified Zumba instructor for kids and adults. Her organization, SPAN, Is in partnership with Kennedy Centre to study Art Management Fellowship.

In recognition of the illustrious contributions to Arts in Nigeria, SPAN has received several awards from the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (Lagos State Chapter) ITD Distinguished Personality for 2009, the Mushin Local Government, the Centre for Black & African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, the Orvie Youth Centre, Guild of Nigeria Dance Practitioners, the Faculty of Arts of the Lagos State University, the Footprint Africa Folklore Festival to mention but a few.

Sarah is an Executive Director at SCOA NIGERIA PLC. She also owns Lagos-based La POINTE supermarket store and NOIR Restaurant.

Segun Adefila is a household name artist. This Omu Aran born started his journey into the world of Arts  from an early age where he would dance with masquerades during traditional festivals.

After some years, he had training in the Arts with Black Image Theatre Company. Subsequently, he became a co-founded the Crown Troupe of Africa with friends in June 1996. Segun Adefila holds a certificate in Drama from the defunct Centre for Cultural Studies, University of Lagos in 1997 and would later bag a B.A in Creative Arts from the same institution in the year 2002.

Segun Adefila is a multi-award winning performing alongside his troupe, Crown Troupe of Africa.

In 2010 the documentary Bariga Boy by the filmmaker Femi Odugbemi, which tells the story of Adefila and of his dance drama group, won the Best Documentary at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). Crown Troupe and other tales.

Yetunde is a chartered accountant, finance consultant and audit practitioner, with over fifteen years’ experience in audit, assurance and consulting at a leading finance firm.

As a topnotch professional, Yetunde has led audit and advisory engagements of top tier multinational and national organizations and key projects that involved audit of financial statements, IFRS conversion engagements, SOX reviews and readiness, business process restructuring, finance function transformation engagements and due diligence assignments.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting- Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife and is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). She also has a Diploma in International Financial Reporting (ACCA). She has an MBA from the Lagos Business school.

She is married with two lovely children.

A Chartered Accountant and one of the global professional service firms with over fifteen years’ experience in audit assurance, SOX certification, audit assurance, financial control, business risk and regulatory advisory services.

Bisola is the founder of The Friends Soup Kitchen Charity in 2014. She is also a director of the Pediatric Centre Children Hospital.

Isioma Williams is a multitalented artist, art consultant, the Founder/Artistic Director of DrumsView Concept (an art academy for the youths), creative director of Sights and Sounds de L’Afrique; pioneer member of Korean-Culture Supporters Group and member of International Dance Council (CID) among other dance groups. He studied traditional music composition and language in South Korea at Kyung Hee University, Seoul, in 2013. It was during his studies in South Korea that he was attracted to the uniqueness and technicality of the Korean drum.

He has successfully incorporated Janggu drum into core Nigerian traditional drum ensemble (Sights and Sounds de L’Afrique) thereby giving a new theme to the African drums experience: locally made, internationally embrace. Isioma Williams is currently running a drum clinic wherein the basic elements of research and development of Nigerian and African drums and drumming culture are taught at the quarterly Janggu Drum Training Workshop which is sponsored by the Korean Cultural Centre in Abuja. The Drums clinic has produced 50 master drummers.

The fine blend of African drumming artistry and its Korean counterparts designed by Isioma Williams continue to be appreciated by all. He has collaborated ARA (Queen of Talking Drum and first female talking drummer) on her different drumming concerts. Also, his troupe of Janggu drummers have performed at the African Drums Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Korean community in Nigeria End-of-Year celebration in Lagos in 2017, inauguration of the K-Culture Supporters Club held in Abuja in 2016 and the Lagos@50 Parade of Colours Carnival at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos in 2017. Other shows featured are Crown Troupe of Africa’s 20th anniversary festival held at Freedom Park in Lagos and Footprint of David’s Community Festival held in Bariga, Akoka, in 2016 and 2017.

Steve Oluseyi Ayorinde is a journalist, author, publisher, media consultant with over 24 years’ experience and several awards to his name. he was an Honorable Commissioner in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture having served meritoriously in the Lagos State ministry of Information and Strategy, this distinguished individual brought remarkable changes. His landmark achievement as seen in the development of the Arts, better communication between the government and the people as well as improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the tourism industry in the state is a unique reference in public service accountability.

Steve Ayorinde who had served as the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of the National Mirror newspaper, Editor of The Punch newspaper, and a celebrated columnist, Assistant Secretary General; Vice-President (West) and Deputy President of Nigerian Guild of Editors is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most renowned film and art critics. He has served on the Juries for some of the world’s most recognised film festivals and awards, such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, AMAA and Mumbai International Film Festival.

Steve Ayorinde has authored of three books namely: Masterpieces: A Critic’s Timeless Report (Spectrum Books, 2008); Abokede: The Man, The Hill, The City (ArtPillar Books, 2011) and Cascade of Change: A Decade of Liberal Thoughts (Liberal Publishing, 2015). He also edited For Law, For Country: Conversations with the Bar and the Bench (Global Media Mirror Publications, 2012).

Steve Ayorinde who is with three children is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Steve. He is also educated at the University of Lagos, Akoka and University of Leicester, UK where he earned a Master’s degree in Globalization and Communications.

A veteran dramatist, choreographer and costume designer. He studied at the premier University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he is currently an Associate Professor in African Theatre and Performance at the Department of Theatre Arts. He has published widely on indigenous and modern Nigerian drama, theatre, film, Pentecostal Evangelism and contemporary Nigerian dance.

His first published drama text, We the Beast, won the Association of Nigerian Author’s Drama Prize in 1991. His current research interest is in African popular and contemporary dance, music and music videos.

He is the Baale of Orile Bariga in Bariga LCDA in Lagos. He is a quintessential leader by calling; a professional builder and the people’s man. He has wealth of experience in both private and public sectors and contributed to the development of the community and humanity at large.

To his acclaim, he has won several awards both in the country and abroad. He has equally been recognised by several organizations.

Seye Oyetade, the CEO of Matters of Heritage Ltd (www.mattersofheritage.com) is a graduate of Physics from Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti now (UNAD) but with a devoted bias for Artificial intelligence and Astrophysics. He has distinguished himself in recent times with a burden to capture and preserve archetypal history for the learning and admonition advantage of posterity using 21st century technology aesthetics.

Some of his works in the public domain are; The Life and Times of Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, Lagos State in the Eyes of Time – A trajectory on the political and socio-economic evolution of Lagos State.
He is the Chief Host at the annual Children Summit tagged “Conversation with the Future” an event committed to stimulating the Nigerian Child into accepting responsibility for greatness. He is also on the board of African International Documentary Festival Foundation (www. afidff.org) – An organization dedicated to the task of developing and empowering African children towards changing for good the narrative of the continent of the dark skin.

He features on television and in public forum on a regular basis as a socio-political commentator and public affairs analyst.

He is married with Children.

OPEYEMI RAJI Snr. A native of Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.Studied Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile ife and later Linguistic and African Languages at University of Ibadan.

A Director, Dance Instructor cum Choreographer, Script Writer, Dancer, Actor and Custodian of Culture. Ex. National Trouper. Joined Theatre world in 1978 first with FM Radio Program (Aworerin Series) Properly trained between 1981-1985.Became the Drama Controller in DDPT of Oyo State.      Worked with Late Prof Dapo Adelugba, Late Prof. OLA ROTIMI MON, Late Chief Wale Ogunyemi MON, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, Late Ambassador Según Olusola, Prof Ayo Akinwale, Prof. AHMED Yerima, Mr. Anold Udoka Uncle Peter Badejo OBE, Chief Muraina Oyelami, Late Dr. Hubert Ogunde, Late Oyin Adejobi, Late Ishola Ogunsola, Late Moses Olaiya Adejumo (BabaSala), Chief Jimoh Aliu JP, Prof Ojo Rasaki Bakare, Dr. Tunde Awosanmi, King Sunny Ade, Late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Lady Evang.Bola Are, Lady Evang. Funmi Aragbaye, Evang. Ebenezer Fabiyi Obey, Claude Brumachon (French Choreographer, Mr. Alou gbine dine (Republic of Benin Arts Director,Late Prof Akinwumi Ishola, Late Lizzy Harmond (Ghana National Troupe Choreographer), Mr. Christopher Onibasa, Muyiwa Osinaike, etc.     He is also the Southwest Coordinator and Dance Instructor during the opening and closing Ceremony of 8th All African Games KOJA 2003,The leader of Oyo State Contigent and Choreographer during the opening and Closing Ceremonies 2005.Have been attending NAFEST since 1988.and Abuja Carnival since inception. Took part as a Dancer, Dance Instructor, Actor, Organiser, Choreographer, Director in Stage, Television and Film Productions like, OBE GBIGBONA, AGBAARIN, ARELU, OVORAMWEN NOGBAISI, LANGBODO ’94,STRONG BREED, DEATH AND THE KING’ S HORSEMAN, BOAT OF PEACE, SLAVE OF THE SLAVE PARENTS, BIRTHDAYS ARE NOT FOR DYING, FEREBIEKUN, KUNRUNMI, OGBORI ELEMOSHO, MUSICAL CHAIR, SAWO – SOGBERI, OBAKOSO, OBALUWAYE, YEMOJA, MBARA, HOPE’S OF THE LIVING DEAD, BALOGUN IBIKUNLE, ONCE UPON FOUR ROBBERS, WOMEN OF OWU, AGBEKOYA, MORONTODUN, NIGERIA, Etc.he is the First Pioneer VICE President of GOND (Dance Guild of Nigeria) Got reelected in 2005, Brought GOND to Oyo State. A Certified Linguist and Theatre Critique.

Akin Alabi, born in Lagos Nigeria, is a Nigerian music video director, writer and entrepreneur. He is renowned as one of the video directors that pioneered the era of hiphop music video production in Nigeria and has worked with several top artistes Across Nigeria. Akin Alabi who was into song writing and graphic designing during his university days confessed during one of his interviews that his passion for music prompted him to drop an album in 1999. Unfortunately, by the time Uzodinma Ukpechi, who was one of the major forces behind the camera then gave him the bill, Alabi claimed to have resolved to acquire equipment with the money. His knowledge in graphics and audio production served as a platform to explore his skill.

After he shot a musical video for one up and coming artistes called Nachur for Blac in the 2004, Akin came into fame in 2005 with the musical video of Big Bamo and Paul Play’s song titled Crazy. Akin who is also a professional photographer, can now be ranked among the best music video and home video directors in Nigeria.

As an artiste, he formed a group with his wife called T.I.V that went on to release the hit single, Komole in 2012 which went on to win several awards including Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) for best use of choreography, Nominee for Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) under the Best Gospel Video category.

His collections of video works include Konga’s hit track titled Kabakaba, Komole by TIV ft Vector, ‘Gbamugbamu’ and ‘No be Mistake’ by 9ice; ‘Yankuliya,’ ‘God I beg,’ ‘If to Say’ by Timaya; ‘Promise Land’ by Paul Play; ‘Crazy’ by Julius Agwu; ‘Ariya’ by Ayuba; ‘Bu nwanem’ by Onyeka Onwenu; ‘Kabakaba’ by Konga; RCCG Praise Team album video; ‘Igboro Ti Daru’ by Klever J.

He is the creator of the animation TV series on Nigerian proverbs called My Nigerian Proverb shows daily on African Magic YangaTv (UK) and on BRT Buses in Lagos. In 2018, he release a book on Yoruba Proverbs titled Akomolowe: My Book of Yoruba Proverbs.He is passionate about the African culture and he is currently working on using the visual media to conserve the Yoruba culture in particular. He has many awards to his name including the 2012 City People award for Best Video Director, TAVA award for Best Video director and Best RnB video. Alabi married Bunmi Alabi in 2008 and together they have two sons and reside in Lagos Nigeria.