When it comes to Yoruba theatre and the roots of Nigerian stage performance, one name always stands out Hubert Ogunde. Celebrated as the father of Nigerian theatre, Hubert Ogunde was more than just a playwright; he was a movement. Through drama, music, and film, Ogunde shaped the narrative of Yoruba identity, political activism, and indigenous storytelling long before Nollywood existed. This blog post dives deep into Hubert Ogunde’s biography, his plays, movie contributions, and the cultural legacy he left behind in Nigeria and beyond.
Who is Hubert Ogunde?
Hubert Adedeji Ogunde was a Nigerian dramatist, actor, theatre manager, and music composer who pioneered modern professional theatre in Nigeria. Born in 1916, Ogunde’s influence on Yoruba performance art earned him the undisputed title, “father of Nigerian theatre.” His productions were bold, often political, deeply rooted in Yoruba culture, and delivered powerful social messages. By blending folklore, music, religion, and activism into his plays, Ogunde created a new template for African storytelling.
In modern-day discussions on Twitter and Facebook groups focused on African arts, Ogunde is frequently referenced as the blueprint for what today’s stage actors and filmmakers are striving to replicate. His impact still trends during cultural anniversaries or debates on Nollywood’s origins, showing how his legacy stays alive in Nigeria’s artistic DNA.
Hubert Ogunde Biography and Early Life
Hubert Ogunde was born on July 10, 1916, in Ososa, a town in present-day Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria. He came from a culturally rich and spiritually diverse background. His father, Jeremiah Deinbo Ogunde, was a Baptist pastor, while his mother, Eunice Owotunsan Ogunde, came from a family of traditional Ifá worshippers. This unique blend of Christianity and Yoruba spirituality would later influence Ogunde’s storytelling style, which mixed biblical allegory with indigenous beliefs.
Ogunde’s early education began at St. John’s School in Ososa and continued at St. Peter’s School in Lagos, and Wasimi African School in Ijebu-Ode. During this period, he was drawn to music and performance, often playing the organ during church services. By his early twenties, he was already composing music and performing in religious settings, unknowingly laying the foundation for what would become a groundbreaking theatre career.
According to local historians and oral records preserved at the Hubert Ogunde Museum in Ososa, his mother’s cultural heritage was a major influence on his attraction to Yoruba storytelling. Even his grandchildren have spoken in interviews about how deeply embedded traditional music and folktales were in their home while growing up.
Hubert Ogunde Career Before Theatre
Before becoming a full-time dramatist, Hubert Ogunde worked as a teacher between 1933 and 1941. He taught at his alma mater, St. John’s School in Ososa, where he also served as a choirmaster and music instructor. His commitment to education and music was already visible, even in his early twenties.
In 1941, Ogunde joined the Nigerian Police Force and was stationed in Ebute-Metta, Lagos. His time in the police wasn’t long, but it gave him a front-row seat to colonial life and the frustrations of the Nigerian working class. This exposure would later fuel his passion for protest theatre and political commentary. In 1945, just a year after writing his first play, he resigned from the police to pursue theatre full-time.
Many social media users today have drawn parallels between Ogunde’s bold career switch and the “Japa generation” — a wave of young Nigerians leaving traditional jobs in search of creative or independent careers. He’s now often cited in motivational circles as a man who left a stable government job to follow his purpose.
First Theatre Production by Hubert Ogunde
In 1944, Hubert Ogunde wrote and staged his debut drama titled The Garden of Eden and the Throne of God. This wasn’t just a stage play—it was the birth of modern Yoruba theatre. It premiered at Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos and was produced in collaboration with the Church of the Lord (Aladura).
The play combined elements of Christian theology, Yoruba storytelling, and dramatic stagecraft, setting a precedent for the genre now known as Yoruba operatic drama. Encouraged by its success, Ogunde went on to establish the African Music Research Party, the first professional theatrical company in Nigeria.
This moment marked a shift in Nigerian entertainment, from religious plays to commercial stage performances that addressed societal themes. Audience reviews at the time noted how revolutionary it was to see such a mix of Western and African elements on stage.
List of Hubert Ogunde’s Most Popular Plays
Hubert Ogunde wrote and produced over 50 plays in his lifetime. Each one had a unique social or political message. Some of his most notable works include:
- Strike and Hunger – A critique of labor exploitation and colonial rule, released during a time of mass strikes in Nigeria.
- The Tiger’s Empire – A nationalistic play calling for unity and cultural pride among Africans.
- Yoruba Ronu (“Yorubas Think!”) – Possibly his most controversial play, banned by the Western Region government for its political undertones.
- Aiye – A supernatural thriller exploring good vs evil using Yoruba spiritual metaphors.
- Jaiyesinmi – A follow-up to Aiye, delving deeper into Yoruba cosmology and fate.
Even today, clips from Aiye and Yoruba Ronu are often shared in Nigerian theatre forums and WhatsApp groups, showing just how timeless and relevant his stories remain. These plays aren’t just entertainment—they’re cultural documents, preserving Yoruba identity and Nigerian history.
Hubert Ogunde’s Role in Nigerian Independence and Politics
Hubert Ogunde was not just a playwright; he was a fearless voice for justice during Nigeria’s colonial and early post-independence periods. His theatre became a platform for addressing social oppression, corruption, and political instability. In plays like Strike and Hunger and The Tiger’s Empire, Ogunde used satire and storytelling to expose the exploitation of workers and criticize British colonial rule.
The most impactful of all was Yoruba Ronu, which premiered in 1964. The play was a sharp critique of political disunity and betrayal within the Yoruba leadership at the time. It was so powerful that the Western Region government, led by Ladoke Akintola, banned it outright. This only boosted its underground popularity as people passed around scripts and audio cassettes, treating it as forbidden truth. In 1966, when the military took over government, the ban was lifted, and Yoruba Ronu returned to the stage with even greater acclaim.
Many political activists on platforms like Twitter and Nairaland today still reference Yoruba Ronu when discussing the decline of leadership and tribal politics in Nigeria. Ogunde’s work continues to shape civic consciousness, making him one of Nigeria’s earliest cultural activists.
Hubert Ogunde’s Contribution to Yoruba Culture and Language
Ogunde’s theatre was deeply rooted in Yoruba language, culture, and spirituality. Unlike many Nigerian performers of his time who used English as their primary medium, Ogunde boldly used Yoruba in nearly all his works. This decision helped elevate the Yoruba language as a formal medium for intellectual and artistic expression.
Through plays like Aiye and Jaiyesinmi, he explored the complexities of Yoruba cosmology—featuring orishas (deities), ancestors, and spiritual warfare. These productions were immersive, involving traditional costumes, rituals, and incantations that honored the authenticity of Yoruba heritage.
Modern cultural critics, such as Professor Duro Oni of the University of Lagos, have often stated that “Ogunde’s plays weren’t just entertainment; they were Yoruba textbooks brought to life.” His influence helped protect cultural identity at a time when Westernization threatened to erode indigenous values.
Hubert Ogunde Movies and Film Career
In the late 1970s, Hubert Ogunde made a major leap into the world of Nigerian cinema. His film debut, Aiye, released in 1979, was an instant success. Shot in Yoruba and directed under his own supervision, the movie brought traditional themes of spiritual warfare, morality, and fate into Nigerian living rooms. Following its success, he released Jaiyesinmi, Aropin N’Tenia, and Ayanmo, all of which became classics of Yoruba cinema.
Ogunde built his own film village in his hometown of Ososa, which allowed him to control every aspect of production—from script to final cut. This was revolutionary at a time when Nigeria lacked a structured film industry. His approach paved the way for today’s Nollywood format of home video distribution.
In many Yoruba households, these movies are still watched today, especially during festive periods. On YouTube and local streaming platforms, his films regularly trend under “Yoruba classics” or “Nigerian theatre legends.”
Hubert Ogunde’s Music and Soundtracks
Music was a crucial part of Hubert Ogunde’s storytelling style. He composed over 90 original tracks throughout his career, many of which served as soundtracks to his plays and films. These songs were performed in Yoruba and featured traditional percussion, chants, and harmonies that reflected spiritual or political themes.
Popular tracks include Yoruba Ronu, Ekun Oniwogbe, Ire Olokun, and Ola Mi Dara. These songs were not just for entertainment—they educated, warned, and inspired the audience. At live performances, music served to build tension, deliver satire, or invoke emotion at critical scenes.
Today, these tracks are archived in Nigerian music history collections and played at theatre retrospectives and cultural events. On platforms like Boomplay and Audiomack, curated playlists of Ogunde’s soundtracks continue to attract thousands of plays, especially from Nigerian students studying theatre arts.
Awards, Legacy, and Death of Hubert Ogunde
Hubert Ogunde’s contributions did not go unnoticed. He received numerous awards, including honorary doctorates from Obafemi Awolowo University (1985) and the University of Lagos (1986). However, in 1983, Ogunde declined the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) national award. He cited political corruption and lack of government support for the arts as his reason for rejecting the honor—a bold move that further cemented his activist reputation.
Ogunde passed away on April 4, 1990, in London at the age of 73. His death was met with national mourning. Today, his legacy is preserved through the Hubert Ogunde Museum in Ososa, his published scripts, his movies, and the work of his children who continue to run the Ogunde Theatre Company.
Every year, tributes flood Nigerian social media on his birthday or death anniversary. Theatres, filmmakers, and cultural groups post tributes with hashtags like #OgundeLivesOn and #YorubaRonu. Even in death, Hubert Ogunde remains a towering figure in the world of African performance art.
The Ogunde Theatre Company and His Family’s Role Today
After Hubert Ogunde’s passing, his children took up the mantle of preserving his legacy through the continued operation of the Ogunde Theatre Company. Several of his sons and daughters, many of whom trained under him, have remained active in Nigeria’s creative industry as producers, actors, and custodians of Yoruba cultural storytelling.
The family manages the Hubert Ogunde Museum located in Ososa, Ogun State. This space is more than a museum—it’s a cultural hub, showcasing his stage props, costumes, personal items, and an archive of scripts and soundtracks. School excursions, university theatre departments, and researchers regularly visit the museum to study his life’s work.
The theatre company occasionally stages revivals of Ogunde’s classic plays, and they’re often invited to perform at cultural festivals like the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) and Lagos Theatre Festival. With each generation, the Ogunde family continues to keep Yoruba theatre alive—just as he envisioned it.
FAQs About Hubert Ogunde
What is Hubert Ogunde’s most famous play?
Most people consider Yoruba Ronu to be his most impactful and controversial play, thanks to its strong political message and the government ban it faced in the 1960s.
Where was Hubert Ogunde buried?
Hubert Ogunde was buried in his hometown of Ososa, Ogun State, where the Ogunde Museum now stands as a tribute to his life and contributions.
What did Hubert Ogunde do for Nigerian theatre?
He professionalized Yoruba drama, blending music, dance, and storytelling. He created the first Nigerian theatre company and inspired the formation of modern-day Nollywood.
Are any of Hubert Ogunde’s family members in Nollywood?
Yes, several of his children work in Nigerian media and performing arts, carrying on his legacy through production, acting, and cultural preservation.
How did Hubert Ogunde promote Yoruba culture?
Ogunde performed almost entirely in Yoruba, used traditional costumes, music, chants, and dramatized cultural values through spiritual and historical themes in his work.