Festival Team
Meet The Team
Get Acquainted with Our Expert Team
Meet the talented professionals who bring creativity, expertise, and dedication to the Lagos Fringe
Kenneth Uphopho
Festival Director
Kenneth Uphopho is an Artistic Director, Acting coach, Writer, Arts Manager, Culture Advocate and Talent manager with over 25 years of extensive experience in Artistic Direction and Festival Management. Through the platforms that he created, Lagos Fringe & Abuja Fringe, in following the Edinburgh Fringe Festival model, Kenneth has produced and directed over 300 productions with some of Nigeria’s most exciting performers, writers, directors, and creative teams. By doing that he continues to invest in and promote new talent for the creative industry in Nigeria. Kenneth invests in the development of talent in the 16-35 years demography with his festival programmes that focus on learning through a series of conversations, workshops and networking events with established local and international facilitators. Kenneth supports these artists with free venues and technical assistance to present a creative mix of theatre, poetry, film, spoken word, cabaret shows, exhibitions, literature, dance and music etc at the fringe festivals. The vision is to make Abuja & Lagos and indeed Nigeria the culture hub of sub Saharan Africa by 2030.
Kenneth’s work in the arts has also been recognised internationally as he has received the Salzburg Global Seminar Fellowship for 2020 in Austria and he is a fellow of the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) New York. Kenneth is a founding member, Secretary, and sits on the board of trustees of the Guild of Theatre Directors Nigeria.
He was Festival Director for the British Council Lagos Theatre Festival from 2014- 2018 where through his work; He expanded the scope of the festival from 16 performances to 109 events in two years. LTF has so far featured over 500 productions with 25 international showcases and collaborations making it one of the largest performing arts festivals in Africa (as reported by AMEX Essentials).
As a theatre maker, Kenneth has also created a number of works with a diverse range of producers, artists and companies. He was resident director & actor at the theatre@terra project, (Terrakulture) for 7 years. Between 2011 and 2018 he directed over 20 critically acclaimed productions including – amongst others – August Meeting, Ada The Country, Speaking Out, Naked, Gula, Saro the Musical, The Wives, Shift Lemme Faint, Wait, Shattered, Anatomy of a Woman, Rubiewe, Death & the King’s Horseman, Widow’s Window, The Wives, London Life Lagos Living, Next Of Kin, Every Single Day, Band Aid etc.
As the director at Pawstudios Africa, a media and productions company based in Lagos, Kenneth offers artists a platform for innovation and creative collaborations. He also offers audiences an eclectic programme of Nigerian plays, Tv series, experimental plays, musicals, cabarets, spoken word performances, interpretations of classic repertoire, festivals, and the best of new international writing. Over the years, part of Kenneth’s practice has evolved to include the development of non –theatrical, repurposed, and unconventional spaces to increase the reach of artistes with limited access to audiences and exhibition opportunities. Kenneth is an Alumnus of the department of Theatre & Music, Lagos State University.
Brenda Fashugba
Festival Producer
Brenda Fashugba Uphopho is a Program Director and Cultural Strategist with 15+ years of experience leading high-impact programs across Africa. She is skilled in documentary production, designing Gender Equitable Training programs, and digital innovation, including e-learning platforms. At the British Council, she directed creative economy programs across 14 countries, overseeing $20M+ in donor grants and expanding the SoCreative E-learning platform 5x. She co-founded Lagos Fringe, supporting 3,600+ creatives, and founded Women in the Arts - Nigeria. An Obama Leaders Africa Fellow, she is adept at amplifying marginalized voices.
Tope Sanni
Programmes Director
Temitope Sanni is a dynamic cultural advocate and strategic communications expert with extensive experience in the Culture and Creative Industries. With a strong background in arts management, digital communications, and brand strategy, she has contributed to numerous creative initiatives across Nigeria and beyond.
She has played a key role in shaping and executing Film Lab Africa, a British Council accelerator program designed to equip emerging Nigerian filmmakers and TV producers with the skills and resources needed to navigate the industry. Through programme innovation and strategic partnerships, she has helped structure learning experiences, oversee productions, and expand the reach of African storytelling.
Her work with Lagos Fringe and Abuja Fringe Festivals has been instrumental in developing and executing artist-focused programmes that foster inclusion, skill-building, and sustainable creative careers. She has also been involved in securing funding and cultivating partnerships that have strengthened the impact of these platforms.
Beyond these, she has contributed to PAWSTUDIOS Africa, the British Council’s Lagos Theatre Festival, and Big Picture Entertainment, managing the delivery of large-scale creative programmes, audience development strategies, and digital engagement initiatives. With an MBA in Marketing from the University of Lagos, she continues to champion storytelling, advocacy, and programme innovation to elevate Africa’s creative industries.
Faustina Okomayin
Festival Administrator / Film Programmer
Faustina Okomayin is an experienced filmmaker and project manager in the Nigerian creative industry, specializing in writing, producing, and directing impactful films. With over 5 years of experience, she curates arts festivals and conducts training to support the creative economy. Faustina was awarded the 2024 British Council Film Lab Africa Grant and has directed and produced notable films like “UME (BREATHE)” and “RALIA’S SECRET.”
She is currently the Project Manager at Pawstudios Africa, where she has facilitated workshops for over 250 creatives and managed stage productions. As an Admission Analyst at Kunle Afolayan’s KAP Academy, she has overseen the admission of over 4,000 students. Additionally, she serves as a Film Programmer and Festival Administrator for Lagos Fringe, selecting films for the annual festival.
Faustina has contributed to international film festivals, including SIMA and Sunrise Film Festival, evaluating films as part of the preselection committee. Her educational background includes a degree in Chemical Engineering and various industry-related training programs, including the EbonyLife Creative Academy and Pan Atlantic University’s Film Criticism Workshop.
Osafile Oladotun
Production Manager
Oladotun is a seasoned Events Project/Production Professional based in Lagos, Nigeria, with an impressive 14-year track record. Her expertise spans venue management, event production planning, and management, where she has mastered the art of curating memorable experiences for live music, theatre, conferences, festivals, and concerts.
She has notably steered the production at the prestigious Eko Convention Centre of Eko Hotels and Suites from 2010 to 2015. Dotun has also been instrumental in orchestrating high-profile events such as the Youth Music Fiesta (2013 – 2019), Gidifest (2015 – 2019), and Fuji Opera (2020-2023). She has also worked as Production Manager on Theatre festivals and plays such as Lagos Fringe Festival (2018-2023), Lagos Theatre Festival (2017-2018), Heartbeat The Musical and Hearword: Five City Tour 2022,
Dotun’s passion extends beyond just executing exceptional events; she is committed to elevating the standards of the event industry and nurturing the next generation of practitioners. She fervently advocates for education and continuously seeks opportunities to share her knowledge and insights.
Driven by her passion for excellence and a desire to make a positive impact, Dotun remains a dedicated professional who is always eager to contribute her expertise to creating world-class events and enriching her community.
Ayoola Adesewa
Digital Communications Officer
Ayoola Adesewa is a Digital Communications Specialist with a passion for storytelling, brand elevation, and community engagement. She thrives on crafting compelling narratives that bring brands, creatives, and organizations to life across digital platforms, ensuring they connect meaningfully with their audiences.
In her roles as Digital Communications Associate at Pawstudios Africa (and Digital Communications Lead at Lagos Fringe), Ayoola contributes to shaping the digital voice of both platforms. She brings stories to life through strategic content, amplifying visibility while fostering deep connections between artists, creatives, and the communities they engage with.
Beyond digital strategy, Ayoola is deeply invested in the creative sector, working at the intersection of arts, culture, and social impact. As the founder of Pick A Pen Tribe, she champions skill development and empowerment for young people through creative arts and craft-making initiatives, helping them explore their talents and build sustainable futures. Her work reflects a commitment to fostering opportunities that inspire innovation, self-sufficiency,and long-term growth.
A blend of introvert and extrovert, Ayoola thrives in spaces where creativity meets meaningful connection—whether at cultural gatherings, jazz events, or immersive artistic experiences. Her approach to communication isn’t just about visibility; it’s about creating a lasting impact in the creative and digital landscapes.
Bola Stephen Atitebi
Project Manager, Lagos Fringe Markets.
Bola Stephen-Atitebi is an international performing artist with 28+ years of stage and screen experience, featuring in over 200 productions worldwide. As a producer, her credits include The Lottery Ticket (2023) and Mad Medicus (2020). She also co-produced the award-winning digital theatre piece The Art of Facing Fear (2020–2021) with partners across seven continents.
Bola is the Procurement Officer at Pawstudios Africa and an Associate Producer for the Lagos Fringe. Since 2018, she has curated art and craft workshops and the pop-up market for the Lagos Fringe.
Currently, Bola is touring Esther’s Revenge by Pawstudios Africa, following a 4-city UK tour and an off-Broadway run at Soho Playhouse, New York. The play won the Brighton Fringe International Award in 2023.
Deborah Okoye
Public Relations Officer
Deborah Okoye is a dynamic digital media professional with over five years of experience in content creation, public relations, marketing strategy, and community building. With a keen eye for storytelling and a results-driven approach, she specializes in crafting compelling narratives that elevate brands and foster engagement across multiple industries, including media, arts & culture, healthcare, beauty, and technology.
As the PR & Communications Strategist for Lagos Fringe 2024, a flagship initiative of Pawstudios Africa, Deborah plays a pivotal role in shaping the festival’s public image, amplifying its reach, and driving audience engagement. She also serves as the Marketing Strategist for the British Council’s Film Lab Africa project, where she spearheads innovative digital strategies to enhance the project’s visibility and impact.
Throughout her career, Deborah has successfully led and executed high-profile projects, including organizing the Inaugural Nigeria Day at the Essence Film Festival, fostering strategic brand partnerships, and exceeding client targets for industry leaders such as Meta, Netflix, Darling Nigeria, and Serenity Home Healthcare. Her expertise in digital storytelling has enabled her to develop digital media strategies that break industry benchmarks, strengthen brand loyalty, and create meaningful audience connections.
Passionate about the intersection of business, creativity, and community, Deborah thrives in environments where strategic execution meets impactful storytelling. She is committed to transforming ideas into successful projects, cultivating vibrant online communities, and driving measurable results for the brands she works with.
Beyond her professional work, Deborah is a content creator who shares travel and lifestyle experiences on her YouTube channel, advocates for women’s empowerment, and is an avid traveler with a deep appreciation for cultural exploration.