IN is a research-based performance project focused on exploring the trauma, challenges, and struggles faced by young people, particularly within urban environments like Lagos, Nigeria. This project serves as both an artistic expression and a platform for social commentary, amplifying the voices of young individuals often marginalized or ignored by mainstream narratives. By addressing the pressing social issues that affect their daily lives, the performance aims to provoke reflection, foster dialogue, and create a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding youth experiences in contemporary Nigerian society. As a community-based research project, it includes local youth in the creation of the performance to foster a sense of ownership and empowerment. The project engages young people as both contributors and witnesses, encouraging them to reflect on their own experiences and the larger socio-political context in which they live. It also challenges the audience to think critically about the systems of power, governance, and inequality that affect the lives of young people in Lagos and beyond.

The foundation of the project

The foundation of IN lies in extensive research and engagement with young people from various communities across Lagos. During the project’s inception phase, the creative team conducted verbal interviews and on-the-ground interactions with youth in public spaces such as markets, bus stops, and street corners. Locations like Mushin, Oshodi, Bariga, Iwaya, Makoko, Ajegunle, Oshodi, and Ojuelegba were strategically selected as sites of research due to their diverse socio-economic environments and their representation of the varied urban experiences of young people in Lagos.

These interactions served as a vital source of information, offering unfiltered, raw insights into the lived experiences of youth navigating the challenges of life in one of Africa’s largest cities. Through these conversations, IN explores the daily realities of young Nigerians, from systemic inequalities to emotional and psychological struggles. The stories and perspectives gathered from these communities directly influenced the direction of the performance, with the voices of the youth shaping its narrative.

What are the main socio-economic challenges faced by young people in urban environments like Lagos? How do issues such as sexual assault, mental health, and drug abuse affect the daily lives of young Nigerians? What role does gender, particularly masculinity and feminism, play in the social and emotional development of youth in Nigeria How do young people cope with feelings of disillusionment, insecurity, and lack of opportunity in a rapidly changing society? What impact does systemic failure—such as inadequate healthcare, poor infrastructure, and unemployment—have on the mental and emotional well-being of young people?

The performance of IN focuses deeply into several key themes that affect young people in Nigerian society.

These themes include:

Sexual Assault: Exploring the emotional and psychological trauma of young people who have experienced sexual violence, including the societal stigma and victim-blaming.

Feminism: Investigating the challenges faced by women and girls in a society governed by patriarchal norms, and the ongoing fight for gender equality.

Ailment and Mental Health: Addressing the struggles of young people with mental health issues and physical ailments, compounded by inadequate healthcare systems and societal stigma.

Masculinity Examining the pressure of conforming to traditional masculine roles and expectations, and how these affect the emotional and social development of young men.

Drug Abuse: Looking at the rising prevalence of substance abuse among youth as a coping mechanism for the socio-economic pressures and emotional turmoil they face.

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These issues are presented through the performance’s narrative, which shifts between moments of personal testimony, physical expression, and collective dialogue. By addressing these sensitive topics, IN  provides an opportunity for healing, reflection, and conversation, encouraging the audience to engage in deeper discussions on the need for systemic change.

IN blends various performance techniques to create a raw, immersive experience. The performance integrates elements of physical theatre, spoken word, and multimedia design, combining abstract physical movements with spoken testimony and soundscapes. The performers, who come from the communities explored during the research phase, use their bodies to represent the emotional struggles and psychological conflicts associated with the social issues tackled in the work.

The design of IN is intentionally minimalist, focusing on the raw power of the performers and their connection to the audience. Elements of everyday urban life—are incorporated into the sound design to transport the audience into the very environment in which the struggles are taking place. This ambient soundscape, paired with the physicality and dialogue of the performance, amplifies the emotional weight of the stories being told.

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The structure

The structure of IN is fluid and dynamic, drawing inspiration from the diverse genres and forms found in the daily lives of young people. The performance transitions between moments of vulnerability, anger, hope, and resilience, reflecting the complex emotional landscape of living in a city fraught with socio-political and economic challenges. By moving seamlessly between moments of stillness and bursts of intense action, IN  mirrors the constant flux of emotions experienced by young people in Lagos.

IN is not just a performance but a call for action. It uses the arts to raise awareness and spark important conversations about the social issues facing Nigerian youth today. The performance is a platform for marginalized voices, providing a space for dialogue, reflection, and action. Through its focus on trauma, resilience, and societal failure, IN invites the audience to reconsider their role in addressing the root causes of these issues and to take collective responsibility for building a more just and inclusive society.

IN is a powerful, socially relevant performance that provides a deep, unflinching look at the struggles faced by young people in Lagos. Through its research-based approach, engaging storytelling, and dynamic performance design, the project addresses pressing issues such as sexual assault, mental health, drug abuse, gender inequality, and more. By giving voice to the experiences of youth, IN offers a compelling and thought-provoking narrative that invites reflection, fosters social dialogue, and advocates for systemic change. This performance is a call for action, a platform for marginalized voices, and an important contribution to the ongoing conversation about youth, resilience, and social justice in Nigeria.

 

Choreographer

Taiwo Ojudun Jacob

Dancers

Femi Akindele
Kingsly Okoro Okoria
Busayo Olowu
Damilola Adelokiki
Odiong Kate
Taiwo Ojudun Jacob
Enechukwu Emmanuel Uche
Sunmisola Omotoyosi Taiwo

Music and sound
Simileoluwa Oyewale