The Guild of Nigerian Dance Practitioners (GONDP), the official regulatory body for dance in Nigeria, has called on dancers across the country to embrace unity and mutual respect in order to foster cultural advancement within the creative industry.
Ugo Obiayo, Chairperson of GONDP’s Lagos Chapter, made the call during an event on Tuesday commemorating World Dance Day (WDD) 2025.
The celebration, organised by the Lagos Chapter of GONDP in collaboration with the National Troupe of Nigeria and the National Arts Theatre, carried the theme: “Dance, A Booster for Oneness and Synergy in Socio-Cultural and Economic Growth.”
Obiayo, who also convened the WDD event, explained that the goal was to engage dance practitioners and promote their socio-cultural and economic development.
“To all the dancers who have remained consistent while others drifted and later returned – we welcome them with open arms,” she said.
She stressed that building synergy among dancers, irrespective of genre, experience, or status, was key to achieving cohesion within the dance community.
Also Read: National Gallery Embarks on Reforms to Preserve Nigeria’s Artistic Heritage
Obiayo highlighted the numerous challenges faced by emerging dancers, including lack of family support, difficulty balancing education with dance, and the absence of a clear industry structure.
“Dance is life – it is health, business, and career,” she said.
“Seeing dancers from all over Nigeria come together to celebrate our shared passion was truly moving. A particularly emotional moment was when we honoured the pioneers of Nigerian dance – those who paved the way even when there was no recognition or support.”
Encouraging young dancers to pursue their dreams fearlessly, she urged them to be courageous, passionate, and dedicated. As she prepares to step down as Lagos Chapter Chairperson, Obiayo expressed pride in the national recognition the guild has earned and the unity fostered among its members under her leadership.
Traditional dance tutor, Moses Yakubu, also spoke at the event, stressing the importance of preserving indigenous dance traditions.
“Our children are familiar with foreign dance styles but are unaware of the cultural significance of dances like Koroso or Swange,” he said, urging cultural bodies and educational institutions to incorporate Nigerian dance history and practice into their curricula.
