1.1 Introduction
Theatre arts refer to the creative presentation of stories, ideas, emotions and social experiences before an audience through acting, dialogue, movement, music and other performance elements. Theatre is therefore more than entertainment because it provides a way of communicating important social and moral issues to people in an understandable form. According to Boal (2000), theatre can encourage people to examine their social conditions and think about possible changes. In this regard, theatre arts provide an important means of discussing issues such as corruption, integrity, accountability and responsible leadership.
Corruption is a serious social problem that involves the misuse of entrusted power or position for private benefit. It weakens public institutions, reduces trust and affects the fair distribution of resources. Transparency International (2024) identifies corruption as a major threat to effective governance and public confidence. In Nigeria, the problem of corruption has created a continuing need for approaches that do not only punish corrupt behaviour but also promote values that discourage it.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the aim and objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Theatre arts are a form of creative expression that use acting, dialogue, movement, music, costumes and storytelling to communicate ideas and experiences to an audience. Theatre is not limited to entertainment because it can also educate people, question social practices and encourage reflection about problems affecting society. According to Boal (2000), theatre provides people with an opportunity to examine their social conditions and participate in thinking about possible change. In the Nigerian context, theatre has historically been used to comment on social and political problems, including poor governance and abuse of public responsibility. Ajidahun (2013) reported that Femi Osofisan used drama to expose and ridicule corruption and its damaging effects on Nigerian society.
Corruption remains an important challenge to effective leadership and national development in Nigeria. It involves the misuse of entrusted power for private or personal benefit and may appear through bribery, embezzlement, favouritism, fraud, abuse of office and other dishonest practices. As described by Transparency International (2024), corruption continues to undermine public institutions, trust and effective governance across many countries. In Nigeria, the problem is not only associated with public officials because attitudes that tolerate dishonesty and the misuse of opportunities may also exist within everyday social relationships. Likewise, Adeoye, Oladimeji and Akinnubi (2023) stated that leadership failures can encourage unethical practices such as bribery, embezzlement and favouritism, particularly where accountability is weak. Brown and Treviño (2006) asserted that ethical leadership involves both personal moral conduct and the active promotion of appropriate behaviour among followers.
Okpadah (2017) reported that theatre for development in Nigeria has been used as a participatory process for social transformation, with audience response playing an important role in its effectiveness. In the same vein, Nigerian playwrights have used dramatic works to question leadership failures, corruption and bad governance. Emelone (2024) found that Nigerian plays have exposed problems of bad governance, corruption and greed through characters and incidents that reflect leadership challenges in society. Such performances may therefore help audiences recognise the relationship between personal integrity, leadership conduct and the wider wellbeing of society.
The relationship between theatre and anti-corruption education is particularly important because corruption is not only a legal problem but also a moral and social problem. Laws may define corrupt practices and prescribe punishment, but lasting change also requires people to develop the willingness to reject dishonest behaviour. Ajidahun (2013) demonstrated this potential through his analysis of Osofisan's socially committed plays, where dramatic techniques were used to criticise graft and corruption. Relatedly, recent scholarship on Nigerian drama has continued to describe theatre as a means of exposing corruption, encouraging social consciousness and promoting discussion about accountability and ethical leadership (Ekevere & Oboho, 2025).
Christian ethical theatre provides an additional dimension because it combines dramatic performance with moral and Christian teachings. Christian ethics emphasise values such as truthfulness, justice, love, honesty, humility, service and responsible stewardship. Olorunsomo (2017) argued that Christian drama has the potential to contribute to social change by influencing individuals who make up society. Furthermore, Christian theatre can present biblical and contemporary situations together, allowing audiences to connect moral teachings with practical problems such as bribery, greed, dishonesty, abuse of authority and selfish leadership. The approach may be particularly useful where audiences already understand religious teachings but need practical examples of how those teachings relate to everyday decisions.
The study is set against the backdrop of the continuing challenge of corruption in Nigeria, the need for responsible leadership, and the potential of theatre, particularly Christian ethical theatre, to use creative performance as a means of promoting integrity, accountability and positive social behaviour.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that corruption remains a major challenge to good governance and ethical leadership in Nigeria, affecting public trust, accountability and the proper use of resources. Although laws and anti-corruption agencies exist, corruption continues partly because some people have developed attitudes that tolerate dishonesty, favouritism and abuse of public responsibility (Transparency International, 2024). On the other hand, anti-corruption efforts often focus more on punishment and formal rules than on changing the attitudes and values that influence everyday behaviour.
Furthermore, theatre arts provide a means of presenting social problems through drama, storytelling, characters and real-life situations. Theatre does not only entertain; it can also educate audiences, encourage reflection and challenge harmful social behaviours. Through performances, issues such as bribery, misuse of power, dishonesty and lack of accountability can be presented in ways that allow audiences to see their effects on individuals and society (Boal, 2000). It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine the impact of theatre arts in promoting anti-corruption and ethical leadership through Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of this study is to examine the impact of theatre arts in promoting anti-corruption and ethical leadership through Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the role of theatre arts in creating awareness of corruption and its effects among audiences of Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre.
- To determine how Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre promotes values associated with ethical leadership.
- To assess the influence of Christian theatre performances on audience attitudes towards corrupt practices.
- To examine the effectiveness of theatre arts in encouraging responsible and accountable leadership.
- To identify the major challenges affecting the use of Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre for anti-corruption and ethical leadership promotion.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What role does theatre arts play in creating awareness of corruption and its effects among audiences of Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre?
- How does Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre promote values associated with ethical leadership?
- To what extent do Christian theatre performances influence audience attitudes towards corrupt practices?
- How effective is theatre arts in encouraging responsible and accountable leadership?
- What are the major challenges affecting the use of Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre for promoting anti-corruption and ethical leadership?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Theatre arts have no significant role in creating awareness of corruption and its effects among audiences of Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre.
- H1: Theatre arts have a significant role in creating awareness of corruption and its effects among audiences of Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre has no significant influence on the promotion of ethical leadership values.
- H1: Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre has a significant influence on the promotion of ethical leadership values.
Hypothesis Three
- H0: Christian theatre performances have no significant influence on audience attitudes towards corrupt practices.
- H1: Christian theatre performances have a significant influence on audience attitudes towards corrupt practices.
Hypothesis Four
- H0: Theatre arts have no significant effect on encouraging responsible and accountable leadership.
- H1: Theatre arts have a significant effect on encouraging responsible and accountable leadership.
Hypothesis Five
- H0: Challenges affecting Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre have no significant influence on its use for promoting anti-corruption and ethical leadership.
- H1: Challenges affecting Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre have a significant influence on its use for promoting anti-corruption and ethical leadership.
1.7 Significance of Study
The outcome of this research will provide useful evidence for churches and Christian organisations interested in using drama as part of moral and social education. The study will also provide information on the possible role of theatre in supporting public awareness and anti-corruption education.
Furthermore, the findings will provide clearer information on how theatre performances address corruption and encourage values such as honesty, accountability and responsible leadership.
Lastly, the result obtained will provide academic material for students and researchers interested in theatre arts, corruption, ethics and leadership.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of this research is focused on the impact of theatre arts in promoting anti-corruption and ethical leadership, with particular attention to Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre. The research is limited to Osun State, Nigeria, with Mount Zion Faith Ministries International used as the organisational case context because of its established involvement in Christian drama and film production.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Delay from Respondents: Some respondents delayed completing or returning the research instruments, which affected the speed of data collection.
- Financial Constraints: Limited funds affected transportation, printing, communication and other expenses connected with the study.
- Time Constraints: The period available for the research was limited, which restricted the number of respondents and theatre activities that were examined.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Anti-Corruption:
Anti-corruption refers to actions and measures designed to prevent, discourage and address dishonest practices such as bribery, fraud, embezzlement and abuse of public or organisational power.
Corruption:
Corruption is the misuse of entrusted authority or position for personal or private benefit. It includes practices such as bribery, embezzlement, favouritism, fraud and abuse of office.
Ethical Leadership:
Ethical leadership refers to leadership based on honesty, fairness, responsibility, accountability and appropriate moral conduct.
Theatre Arts:
Theatre arts refer to the creative use of acting, dialogue, movement, music, costumes and performance to communicate stories, ideas and experiences to an audience.
Christian Theatre:
Christian theatre refers to dramatic performances that communicate Christian teachings, values and moral principles through acting and other theatrical elements.
Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre:
Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre refers in this study to Christian dramatic performances in Nigeria that use biblical and moral values to address human behaviour, social problems, integrity, corruption and responsible leadership.
Ethical Values:
Ethical values are principles that guide people in distinguishing acceptable conduct from unacceptable conduct. In this study, they include honesty, integrity, justice, accountability, fairness, responsibility and respect for others.
Leadership:
Leadership refers to the process of guiding, directing and influencing people towards the achievement of shared goals. In this study, leadership is considered in relation to responsible use of authority, accountability and ethical conduct.
Accountability:
Accountability refers to the responsibility of an individual, leader or organisation to explain and take responsibility for decisions, actions and the use of entrusted resources. It is an important element of ethical leadership and good governance.
Audience:
Audience refers to people who watch, listen to or participate in a theatre performance. In this study, the term refers to individuals who watch Nigerian Christian Ethical Theatre performances and respond to their anti-corruption and ethical leadership messages.
Theatre Performance:
A theatre performance is the presentation of a dramatic story or message before an audience through acting, speech, movement, music and other performance elements. In this study, it refers to performances used to communicate Christian ethical and anti-corruption messages.
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