Oluchi Igili PhD
Theatre practitioner, teacher, and poet
I am an applied theatre practitioner and educator. With over 20 years of teaching and research experience, I am passionate about using theatre as a tool for education, empowerment, and social transformation.
I am an experienced applied theatre practitioner and academic with a deep interest in exploring how theatre can foster dialogue, inspire creativity, and address societal challenges. My work focuses on Legislative Theatre, Theatre for Development, political theatre, and decolonial approaches to performance and research.
I hold a PhD in Theatre Studies from the University of Amsterdam, where I focused on the intersection of theatre and law, and its potential for social transformation. My academic background also includes an MA in English Studies with a specialisation in drama from Adekunle Ajasin University and a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of teaching and mentoring students in Nigeria and internationally. My professional journey has included roles as a lecturer in the English Studies and Performing Arts departments at Adekunle Ajasin University, a thesis supervisor at the University of Groningen, and a Visiting Fellow at the University of Amsterdam. Through these experiences, I have cultivated a teaching philosophy that values creativity, collaboration, and interdisciplinary inquiry.
Beyond academia, I am a poet, writer, music lover, with a growing inteterst in video editing. These creative pursuits complement my research and teaching, allowing me to approach my work with a holistic perspective. Whether guiding students, conducting research, or collaborating on creative projects, my goal is to contribute to a better understanding of the ways art and education can empower individuals and communities.
