As Nigeria’s creative economy continues to evolve, live theatre is making a bold and confident return this time in a form that merges art, commerce, and premium audience experience.
On February 14, 2026, Asaba will witness a landmark cultural event as Victor Onyeka Ikechukwu, CEO of Victor Money Entertainment, collaborates with acclaimed theatre scholar and director, Oyindamola Adesunloye, to stage Love in Asaba: A Valentine to Remember at the iconic Grand Hotel, Nnebisi Road, by 7:00 pm.
The production is widely being described as the beginning of structured commercial theatre in Asaba, positioning the Delta State capital as a new destination for high quality live stage performances outside Lagos and Abuja. It signals a decisive shift in how theatre is produced, marketed, and consumed in Nigeria, no longer confined to academic spaces or occasional festivals, but presented as a premium entertainment product.
From Ikom Success to Asaba Spotlight
Love in Asaba is the next stop in an ambitious theatrical journey that began with Love in Ikom, staged on December 20, 2025 at Jorany Hotel, Ikom, Cross River State. The Ikom edition, directed by Oyindamola Adesunloye, a theatre lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was inspired by Femi Osofisan’s celebrated comedy “The Engagement,” adapted to reflect contemporary Nigerian realities.
Produced by Willy’s World Entertainment, owned by Nsan Williams Ayuga, the Ikom staging recorded impressive audience turnout and critical goodwill. Its success was further underscored by the presence of high-profile dignitaries, including the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, who attended via a VIP ticket, as well as Manghe Romeo Etta, a prominent Cameroonian youth leader, peace advocate, and parliamentarian, who paid a brief visit.
The overwhelming response in Ikom affirmed a growing appetite for live theatre that is engaging, accessible, and professionally packaged.
Encouraged by this momentum, the creative team resolved to take the production further this time to Asaba, with an expanded vision and a Valentine-themed appeal.Theatre Meets Luxury and Lifestyle, unlike conventional stage productions, Love in Asaba is designed as a full entertainment experience. The choice of Grand Hotel, Nnebisi Road, reflects a deliberate strategy to merge theatre with comfort, hospitality, and lifestyle.
Audiences are invited not just to watch a play, but to enjoy an evening of laughter, romance, and live performance in a premium setting.This approach aligns strongly with the philosophy of Victor Onyeka Ikechukwu, whose entry into the theatre space is redefining how stage productions are funded, promoted, and experienced.
By introducing table seating, tiered ticketing, and strategic branding, the production demonstrates that theatre can be both artistically rich and commercially viable.
For Oyindamola Adesunloye, the project represents a practical extension of scholarship into public performance, bridging theory, aesthetics, and popular reception. It reinforces his long-standing commitment to making theatre relevant beyond the classroom while retaining its intellectual and cultural depth.
A Valentine Story with Wit and Bite
While the production deliberately avoids revealing too much of its plot, Love in Asaba promises a richly comic exploration of love, marriage, pride, and human contradictions.
Drawing inspiration from Osofisan’s dramatic style, the play blends sharp dialogue, physical comedy, and culturally familiar conflicts to create a story that resonates deeply with Nigerian audiences.Set within a domestic and communal context, the play examines how love is often entangled with ego, tradition, and everyday disputes transforming ordinary situations into moments of heightened drama and laughter. It is precisely this relatability, combined with theatrical flair, that made the Ikom edition memorable and now fuels anticipation for the Asaba staging.
Ticket Structure: Theatre for Every Class in keeping with its commercial theatre model, Love in Asaba offers a flexible ticketing structure designed to accommodate a wide range of theatre-goers while maintaining exclusivity for premium guests:
Regular Tickets:₦5,000VIP Tables: ₦100,000VVIP Tables: ₦200,000, the VIP and VVIP table options are curated for couples, corporate guests, socialites, and theatre enthusiasts seeking a refined Valentine experience, complete with premium seating and enhanced viewing comfort.
Redefining Valentine Entertainment in Asaba Scheduled for Valentine’s Day, the production offers an alternative to the usual dinners, concerts, and nightlife routines.
Love in Asaba positions theatre as a romantic, sophisticated, and intellectually engaging option for couples and groups looking to celebrate love differently.
Beyond entertainment, the event also reinforces Asaba’s growing reputation as a cultural and creative hub, complementing its strong association with Nollywood and hospitality-driven events.
Toward a Nationwide Theatre Tour
Following the Asaba outing, the producers are already exploring plans for a continuous nationwide theatre tour, a move that could significantly reshape Nigeria’s live performance landscape. Proposed cities include Onitsha, Awka, Owerri, Uyo, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Benin City, Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Lagos, with each staging adapted to local contexts while maintaining production quality.
Such a tour would deepen audience access to theatre, create sustained employment for performers and technicians, and stimulate local economies through cultural tourism. More importantly, it would reassert theatre’s place as a living, travelling art form—meeting audiences where they are.
A New Chapter for Nigerian Theatre
Love in Asaba: A Valentine to Remember is not merely a stage production; it is a cultural statement. It announces the arrival of commercial theatre in Asaba, celebrates Nigerian storytelling traditions, and demonstrates that live theatre can thrive when innovation meets intentional investment.
As the lights come up on February 14, 2026, one message will ring clear: a new chapter in Nigerian theatre has begun and Asaba is right at its center.
For enquires and sponsorship reach out to: vmentertainmentlimited@gmail.com