The Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, inducted a new Board of Governors at the Noir Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos. This development is aimed at injecting fresh momentum into the Non-Governmental Organisation’s activities.
Established in 2005, SPAN’s new Board of Governors will serve in an advisory capacity, guiding the organisation in delivering its core objectives as conceived by its founder, Sarah Boulos.
The inaugurated Board of Governors include — Olatomiwa Williams, Sarah Boulos, Elvira Salleras, Leticia Bertrand, Marie Louise Sassine, Yemo Alakija, Omoriode Lucy, Michael Smith, Andrew Nahman, Yorg Steckhan, and Stephanie Busari. While taking the oath of office, the new Board of Governors pledged unwavering devotion to bringing their expertise, connection and experience to bear in leading SPAN to greater heights.
Fielding questions on why it became imperative to induct a new Board of Governors despite an existing Board of Trustees, the founder of SPAN, Sarah Boulos, said the Trustees operate as “the owner of the foundation, but they cooperate in advisory capacity, not in operational function”. She spoke further: “We need a Board of Governors to run the school and the programming and because we are building a performing arts centre, credibility is very important to have more people running the show.”
Boulos also talked about the need to step back a bit more. Giving reasons for the decision, she revealed that after 20 years of running SPAN, since 2005, and being back and forth between the United States and Nigeria, she has come to understand where her position is.
“There is a season for everything”, Boulos began. “Having another group of people helping me run SPAN is much more important. My team will be more empowered because they reside here in Nigeria. Therefore, I can focus more on empowering more individuals and creating greater impact, rather than just the administrative aspect. Some people are created to empower and train. Some are created to run and put other things in place. I know where my calling is, and I need to stay and stick to the calling that I’ve been called to do.” The visioneer stated.
Boulos sees the performing arts as a weapon for uniting and building common ground rather than dividing and destroying. She sees performing arts among the SPAN trainees as a way to build entrepreneurship and help others. “By 2035, you will have about 7 million Nigerians out of jobs”, Boulos declared. “I believe SPAN is the key solution for that. I believe SPAN has a way to train a lot of people across the country; it has the capacity to train a lot of people to be financially independent, ” she concluded.
Bola Adewole, Executive Director of The Learning Place and Member of the SPAN Board of Governors, said she is involved with SPAN because it has a strong commitment to improving lives. “They are always looking for fulfilment, achievement of purpose, as well as functionality, and this aligns well with what we do as well as with our vision. When we find another association or organisation trying to empower people and position them for success, we align with them.”
“I’m particularly excited with what we are doing with SPAN because we know that SPAN focuses on children, creativity and bringing out the best in the children. They have a heart for humanity, and that’s why we keep partnering with them.” Adewole rounded off.
Former CNN Bureau Chief for Africa and CEO of SBB Media- Stephanie Busari, also spoke after being sworn in as a member of the SPAN Board of Governors. Busari said: “I have seen the impact that the SPAN workers have made, and I got involved last year with the Debutant’s ball. One of my mentees is a Chibok Girl.”
Busari said she brought the Chibok girl to SPAN because she was waiting to find out what she wanted to do next. “I brought her to SPAN, and she became one of the debutantes and gained communication skills to enable her presence on stage during the ball.” Busari further added that her involvement with SPAN has deepened, and that now she is thrilled to become one of the Governors.
“SPAN is a powerful organization and it has touched many lives. Many young people who are desperate and destitute who have nowhere to go come to SPAN, and they have had their lives changed, and many of them have been with SPAN for 10 to 15 years, and that’s really remarkable. It says something. About the kind of organisation that it is. You can imagine the impact, and my work has always been about impact as a journalist. I am looking forward to giving my skills to SPAN to move on to the next chapter.” Busari concluded.
“This is a very welcome development”, said Pastor Olufunmi Olajoyegbe, a Member of the SPAN Board of Trustees. “I am excited about it”, she continued. “I’m envisioning that there will be a lot more progress and growth. To see the type of people that have been brought on board, I’m excited because everybody is bringing to the table a value, and I’m very optimistic about the impact and growth that SPAN is going to have.” She added.
Other SPAN Board of Trustees Members include: Pastor Wale Adefarasin, Dr Muna Onuzo, Fares Boulos and Sarah Boulos.
SPAN is the ‘Society for Performing Arts in Nigeria’, an NGO founded in February 2005 with the aim of establishing a world-class standard for performing arts education and expression in Nigeria. SPAN offers exceptional opportunities in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts to talented Nigerian youth by inspiring, training, and empowering them so that their creativity is unleashed.
