Prince Oyin Adejobi was more than just a name in the world of Yoruba theatre he was a living library of traditional Nigerian storytelling, a master dramatist who brought Yoruba culture to life on stage and on television. Born in Osogbo, Adejobi carved a path that reshaped how Yoruba narratives were performed, recorded, and preserved for future generations. This post explores his legacy, from the formation of the Adejobi Theatre Group to his iconic television presence in Kootu Asipa.
Whether you’re a student of African literature, a fan of Yoruba plays, or a cultural enthusiast looking to learn more about Nigerian performing arts, this article dives deep into Oyin Adejobi’s life, work, and influence on Nigerian drama. We’ll also explore where his plays can still be watched today and how his work continues to shape modern storytelling in Nigeria.
Who Was Oyin Adejobi in Yoruba Theatre History?
Prince Oyin Adejobi was born in 1926 in Osogbo, Osun State, into a culturally rooted Yoruba family. From childhood, he was surrounded by Yoruba myths, proverbs, and oral traditions that deeply influenced his creative voice. Adejobi’s early exposure to Yoruba festivals, folk songs, and village rituals gave him a deep well of material to draw from as he began writing and acting in plays.
Throughout his career, Adejobi positioned himself as both an entertainer and a cultural educator. His goal was never just to amuse the audience but to make Yoruba values relevant in a modern context. His works were filled with ancestral wisdom, traditional conflict resolution, and the moral struggles of everyday people. This made him a respected figure not only in the performing arts scene but also among Yoruba elders and cultural leaders.
Today, many Yoruba historians credit him as one of the few dramatists who succeeded in blending authentic Yoruba traditions with modern stage drama. In the words of theatre critic Akin Obatayo, “Oyin Adejobi had the rare gift of making our culture breathe on stage. You didn’t just watch a play—you felt the weight of generations before you.”
What Is the Adejobi Theatre Group and Its Role in Nigerian Drama?
The Adejobi Theatre Group, founded in 1961, played a crucial role in the growth of Yoruba drama in Nigeria. At a time when Western-influenced theatre was gaining popularity, Adejobi’s troupe stood firm in promoting indigenous storytelling. The group toured extensively across Southwest Nigeria, staging plays that spoke directly to the Yoruba-speaking audience while also educating non-Yoruba viewers on cultural values.
The theatre company was unique because it combined folklore, live music, traditional costumes, humour, and moral lessons into one engaging experience. Their performances often began with drumming and chants, creating an immersive environment that pulled audiences straight into the world of the story. This structure became a template for many travelling Yoruba theatre groups that emerged in the 70s and 80s.
The Adejobi Theatre Group became so influential that universities and cultural centers started inviting them for live shows and workshops. According to a 1994 report by the Centre for Yoruba Studies, over 70% of live Yoruba drama performances in the Southwest region during the 1980s were influenced by Adejobi’s theatrical format.
List of Oyin Adejobi’s Most Popular Yoruba Stage Plays
Oyin Adejobi’s body of work includes several stage dramas that have become cultural milestones. These plays were performed not just for entertainment but as tools of education, cultural preservation, and spiritual reflection. Some of his most notable works include:
- Joseph and His Brothers – A Yoruba interpretation of the biblical story, infused with local idioms and village setting.
- Moremi – A legendary tale of sacrifice and heroism, based on the ancient Yoruba queen who saved her people from invaders.
- Ekuro Oloja – A play grounded in Yoruba idiomatic expressions that explore greed and the moral decay of society.
- Orogun Adedigba – Perhaps his most personal work, semi-autobiographical, blending comedy with emotional depth to explore the struggles of polygamy, legacy, and pride.
Each of these plays reflected Yoruba societal values—honor, humility, family loyalty, and the consequences of moral failure. Many of these productions are still remembered today in Yoruba theatre retrospectives and academic discussions. On social media, clips of Orogun Adedigba often go viral, especially when fans highlight its relatable family drama and iconic dialogues.
How Oyin Adejobi Trained Some of Nigeria’s Greatest Actors
Another major part of Oyin Adejobi’s legacy is his work as a mentor. His theatre group served as a training ground for some of Nigeria’s most respected actors in the Yoruba movie industry. Some of the top names who learned under his guidance include:
- Kareem Adepoju (popularly known as Baba Wande)
- Lere Paimo
- Kola Oyewo
- Dayo Akinpelu
- Grace Adejobi – His wife and one of the first women to perform on Yoruba public stage
These actors were not just taught how to perform, but how to embody Yoruba culture. Adejobi emphasized voice control, proverb usage, body movement, and cultural authenticity in their performances. Many of these actors went on to become directors, producers, and teachers, extending his influence across generations.
In interviews on platforms like Yoruba Heritage TV and social media pages, actors like Kola Oyewo often credit Adejobi’s discipline and depth of knowledge as their biggest influence. As Oyewo once said, “Acting under Oyin Adejobi was like attending a university of Yoruba culture. Every rehearsal was a lecture.”
What Was Kootu Asipa by Oyin Adejobi on NTA About?
Kootu Asipa, also known as Ashipa’s Court, was one of the most beloved Yoruba-language TV dramas of the 1980s and 1990s. The show aired on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and featured Oyin Adejobi as a wise, elderly mediator who presided over a traditional community court. The program focused on resolving disputes between neighbors, family members, and business partners, using Yoruba ethics and proverbs to guide the process.
Adejobi’s performance in Kootu Asipa was both entertaining and instructive. His character, Ashipa, acted more like a respected village elder than a strict judge, offering measured advice with humour, wisdom, and authority. This made the show relatable to viewers who saw reflections of their real-life community leaders in the role.
Social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube are filled with nostalgic posts from Nigerians who grew up watching the show. Many people recall watching it with their parents and grandparents on Sunday evenings. “Ashipa made us laugh and think at the same time,” one YouTube comment reads. “He solved problems the way our grandfathers used to—through dialogue and wisdom.”
Kootu Asipa wasn’t just a TV show. It was a public classroom where cultural values, Yoruba language, and societal lessons were passed from one generation to the next.
How Oyin Adejobi Preserved Yoruba Culture Through Drama
One of Oyin Adejobi’s greatest achievements was his ability to use drama to preserve Yoruba culture in a time when colonial influence was changing Nigeria’s identity. His plays and television shows didn’t just reflect Yoruba traditions—they celebrated and protected them.
In an era where many dramatists were copying Western formats, Adejobi doubled down on using Yoruba language, costumes, songs, rituals, and philosophies. His characters were ordinary Yoruba men and women—traders, herbalists, chiefs, and farmers—facing everyday struggles with integrity and cultural pride.
His dialogue was always rich in Yoruba idioms and proverbs, such as “Bi omode ba subu, a wo iwaju; bi agbalagba ba subu, a wo eyin” (If a child falls, he looks ahead; if an elder falls, he looks behind). These sayings served as subtle moral teachings woven into the storylines.
Experts in cultural preservation like Professor Bisi Afolayan from the University of Ibadan have often praised Adejobi’s work in academic journals. “Oyin Adejobi redefined indigenous drama in Nigeria. He didn’t just perform Yoruba culture—he archived it in motion,” she once stated in a lecture on Yoruba oral performance.
Why Grace Adejobi Is Important in Yoruba Theatre History
Grace Adejobi, the wife of Oyin Adejobi, was a groundbreaker in her own right. At a time when acting was considered taboo for women in traditional Yoruba society, she became one of the first women to act publicly in Yoruba theatre. Her involvement in the Adejobi Theatre Group not only boosted the group’s performance dynamics but also opened the door for more female actors in the industry.
She was known for playing maternal and authoritative roles that balanced her husband’s fiery or witty stage personas. Her acting style was graceful, intentional, and often deeply emotional. Many audience members related to her portrayals of the Yoruba mother figure—loving, wise, and no-nonsense when needed.
In recent years, her name has resurfaced in Nigerian film conversations as audiences and scholars recognize the importance of early female pioneers in theatre. On Twitter, fans often refer to her as “Mama Yoruba Stage” in threads discussing the evolution of Nollywood and Yoruba storytelling.
Grace Adejobi’s legacy is not just tied to her husband’s fame. She helped break gender barriers and proved that women could play central roles in preserving and performing Yoruba traditions.
When Did Oyin Adejobi Die and What Was His Legacy?
Oyin Adejobi passed away in 2000, but his cultural impact remains very much alive in Nigeria and across the Yoruba diaspora. He left behind a strong legacy through his plays, the actors he mentored, and the values he embedded in every story he told.
His death was widely mourned across Nigeria, with tributes pouring in from actors, traditional rulers, and fans. Many cultural institutions, including the National Theatre and Osun State Arts Council, held memorial events in his honor. Over two decades later, his influence still guides young Yoruba filmmakers and playwrights.
Younger generations often discover Adejobi’s work through online clips or recommendations from parents and grandparents. His legacy is a blueprint for telling authentic African stories in a way that respects the past while engaging the present. In Yoruba drama forums and Facebook groups, fans frequently refer to him as “Baba Itage Yoruba” (Father of Yoruba Theatre).
Where Can You Watch Oyin Adejobi’s Yoruba Plays Today?
Despite the fact that many of Oyin Adejobi’s plays were recorded before the digital age, there are still several ways to access his work. A number of archived Yoruba plays and episodes of Kootu Asipa have been uploaded to YouTube by cultural preservation accounts and fans. Channels like Yoruba Movie Gist TV and Yoruba Heritage Archive feature both full plays and key scenes.
In addition to YouTube, select Nigerian TV stations and cultural festivals still showcase Adejobi’s content during heritage-themed events. For instance, the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival occasionally includes screenings of his work as part of its art and culture program.
Some universities in Nigeria, such as Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan, use his scripts in drama and Yoruba studies courses. His works are also referenced in research papers and stage performance case studies focused on indigenous African storytelling.
If you’re looking to relive or study the legacy of this master dramatist, start with a simple search for “Oyin Adejobi Yoruba stage play” on YouTube or visit cultural centers that support African drama preservation.