This Children’s Day, the National Theatre in Lagos will become the stage for what is being billed as Africa’s largest children’s theatrical production. The National Theatre, Lagos, will host a large-scale children’s musical theatre production titled I Wish I Wish: Battle of The Winds as part of activities marking the 2026 Children’s Day celebration. The production, created by children’s theatre company Proud African Roots, is scheduled for 30 May at the main bowl of the National Theatre, with two shows expected to attract a combined audience of 6,000.
The musical theatre performance is centred on African mythology, original music, and immersive stagecraft designed for children, families, and undergraduates. Set in a fantasy world inspired by African storytelling traditions, the production follows mythical characters led by Grandma Wura, a storyteller who guides children through a battle between the forces of nature.
The production marks a significant leap in scale for Proud African Roots, the company behind the Grandma Wura franchise. The organisers previously staged four performances for an audience of 1,200 in 2025. The jump to a 6,000-seat audience at the National Theatre’s main bowl represents the most ambitious chapter yet for a company that has made African storytelling its founding mission.
Bola Edwards, co-founder and CEO of Proud African Roots and creator of Grandma Wura, has spoken about the deeper purpose behind the work: “Back in the days, our forefathers used storytelling to build society and instill values. We lost that along the way. Now, we’re bringing it back into every parent’s and government’s consciousness, because the power of storytelling can never be overestimated. We exist because we are committed to nation building.”
The production promises to be a full sensory experience. It will feature VFX-quality makeup and costumes, an original live score, and set design that transforms the main bowl of the National Theatre into something far beyond a conventional children’s show. The play blends emotional storytelling, dramatic stagecraft, and contemporary themes that reflect social realities and human aspirations within African societies.
The National Theatre’s General Manager and CEO, Mrs Tola Akerele, has thrown her full weight behind the production. “The National Theatre should be a place where a child walks in and discovers something about who they are and where they come from. I Wish I Wish does that with a level of ambition and craft that we are proud to be associated with. I want every parent, every school, and every child who walks through these doors on May 30 to feel that something important is happening here.”
The organisers stated that the production is aimed at demonstrating that world-class children’s entertainment could be locally produced while remaining rooted in African stories and culture. On Children’s Day 2026, the National Theatre intends to prove exactly that.
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