Owobo Ogunde, son of the late Hubert Ogunde, widely regarded as the father of modern Nigerian theatre, is on a mission to revive his father’s enduring legacy. Having recently returned to the spotlight with a performance in the Netflix series Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre, Owobo shares insights into growing up in a household devoted to the stage, his early career, and his vision for Nigerian arts.
“My father is still alive in spirit,” Owobo says. “He created a legacy that cannot die. With 26 children, 14 wives, and countless grandchildren, Ogunde’s family is almost like a village. I am the last son, and I feel a responsibility to keep his vision alive.”
Despite being born into a showbiz family, Owobo insists that acting is not an automatic birthright. “Not all of Ogunde’s children are in the arts. You are either born with the natural talents—voice, presence, charisma—or you are not. But training, discipline, and repetition refine those gifts.”
Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Owobo acknowledges the gap in continuity. “I am not disturbed that Ogunde’s family hasn’t maintained his prominence in theatre. I traveled to the UK in 1992, but now I have returned. Ogunde’s work is timeless—people still study him in universities. His influence remains unmatched.”
Owobo is determined to restore focus on the roots of Nigerian arts and culture. “Many today think Nigerian filmmaking started with social media. But we lost touch with the history of our craft. We need to study the greats, like my father, to learn from their methods and elevate our storytelling.”
His vision includes reviving elements of his father’s travelling theatre, though adapted for modern audiences. “Theatre today is challenging, but I plan to blend film and live performance in a way that honors my father’s techniques while bringing them to contemporary audiences.”
Looking back at his formative years, Owobo recalls being withdrawn from school at age 14 to join his father’s company. “I started with drums, then dance, and finally acting. My parents taught me discipline, movement, and stagecraft—skills that remain with me to this day.”
On his approach to acting now, he explains: “When filmmakers hire me, they’re hiring me with my father’s legacy. I carry it with responsibility. My goal is to bring back Ogunde’s films, preserve their quality, and inspire a new generation.”
Asked about his role in Anikulapo, Owobo admits he initially hesitated. “I needed to test if the theatre life was truly part of me. Acting in the film proved that the spirit of Ogunde still lives in me.”
Owobo’s return marks the start of a new chapter in Nigerian theatre—a bridge between the groundbreaking work of Hubert Ogunde and the evolving landscape of contemporary arts.
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