Managing the challenges and prospects of dance as a profitable vocation in Nigeria

Abstract

Generally, the choice of performing arts as a career and means of livelihood in Nigeria is a tough one. But to further narrow the choice down to dance and choreography, poses even greater challenges. Incidentally, dance contains viable economic opportunities as a sustainable vocation which ironically, not many previous literatures have examined. This paper, therefore, investigates the challenges and prospects in the choice of dance as a career and sustainable means of livelihood in Nigeria. Various literature on the background to dance and on the economic viability of the performing arts and culture, in general, were explored. The primary data for the study was also garnered from one-on-one in-depth interviews and participant observation. Dance, given its artistic and entrepreneurial components, is a sustainable career choice in Nigeria. Scholars, practitioners, and policymakers in the arts and culture in Nigeria would find this research a veritable resource document.