Abstract

The idea of aquatic theatre places performance within the ecology of water, acknowledging
rivers, seas, and other aquatic environments as dynamic spaces of art and socio-political
thought. This paper discusses aquatic theatre in Nigeria as a new locus of environmental justice,
where theatre practitioners, artists, and communities address pollution, oil exploitation, and
ecological degradation through performance. Grounded in eco-critical and performance
theories, the paper expounds on the role of theatre in dramatizing and intervening in the lived
experiences of riverine and coastal communities, such as those in the Niger Delta and Lagos
Lagoon. The essay deconstructs how Nigerian artists recast environmental injustice, enhance
indigenous ecological expertise, and elevate social consciousness through water-based
performances, analyzing case studies of community-based performances, environmental
protest art, and aquatic festivals. It argues that aquatic theatre offers an aesthetic and political
stage for ecological repair, turning locations of ecological trauma into dialogic and resistant
spaces. The paper concludes that these performances are not only a source of cultural
preservation but also a form of proactive participation in environmental advocacy, positioning
theatre at the intersection of art and ethics in ensuring sustainable ecological justice in Nigeria.