The humans of the theatre: strategies for managing human resources in the post-covid19 Nigerian theatre.

Abstract

The COVID19 pandemic had a significant impact on individuals, families, states, businesses and the world at large. As many businesses had to shut down to protect the health of those who run them, citizens were left at the mercy of governments. While this situation was easily managed in developed countries, citizens of developing countries like Nigeria had to battle other life-threatening issues even as the world fought the pandemic. Issues like the corruption of government officials who hoarded relief items for later political use, rise in armed robberies by the infamous ‘one million boys’ gang, and rise in police brutality, created certain reactions in Nigerians that consequently led to a mentality shift. This paper argues that Nigerians came out of the lockdowns more united, more aware of their human rights, and even significantly readier to fight for these rights. These Nigerians who have been provoked into being vigilantes for theirs and their neighbour’s human rights also make up the humans of the Nigerian workforce and more importantly, the humans of the theatre. This paper submits that Nigerian organisations might see a rise in unionism in the coming years and only human resource departments that adopt strategic approach to its operation will be able to weather the storm that is coming. It recommends that theatre organisations create HR positions and ensure that the responsibilities of HR are carried out. The paper concludes that the economic viability of theatre organisations lie in their effective utilisation of the resources brought by the humans of theatre.