Kelvinmary Ndukwe’s “Nkem” Examines Tradition and Personal Choice

Playwright and director Kelvinmary Ndukwe has premiered his latest theatrical work “Nkem”, a family drama that explores the tension between cultural tradition and individual agency. The production opened at Terra Kulture Lawn in Lagos on July 5 and will run through July 27, 2025.

Set against the backdrop of a Nigerian family navigating generational expectations, “Nkem” follows Amadi, a young man preparing to marry his fiancée Chiagozie after their introduction ceremony.

The story takes a turn when Amadi’s estranged father returns with an unexplained demand: he must end the relationship without providing any reason. Pressured and confused, Amadi complies and instead proposes to Uloma, the daughter of a family friend. As the situation escalates, he must confront his father’s silence and make a decision that could redefine his future.

In a social media post, Ndukwe described the work as a blend of comedy and emotion, noting that while it leans into humor, it also explores deeper themes of family, tradition, and identity.

Presented in collaboration with 1000 Stories Production, the play features performances by Amara Onoh, Doris Okorie, Motunde Sogunle, Eric Obinna, and Treasure Enagbare. Ndukwe also directs the production, which he describes as immersive and emotionally layered.

“Nkem” continues Ndukwe’s portfolio of stage work, which includes “Death and the King’s Horseman,” “Dancing in a Daydream,” and “Ye! An Afrobeats Musical.”

With this latest project, he examines how family dynamics and inherited expectations can complicate personal choices in 

contemporary Nigerian society.