Professor Iyorwuese Harry Hagher, OON, is a Nigerian professor of theatre for development, playwright, poet, novelist, politician and diplomat. He is best known for decades of research on the Tiv Kwagh-Hir puppet theatre, which UNESCO inscribed on its Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists in 2019. His career has taken him from the lecture hall to the Senate, the federal cabinet and Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad.

Early Life and Education

Hagher was born on 25 June 1949 in Kasar, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State. His father, Tica Daniel Hagher Gbaaiko, was a primary school headmaster and missionary worker, and Hagher grew up in a Christian home. He attended primary school in Zaki Biam, in what is now Ukum Local Government Area.

He went on to William Mackel Bristow Secondary School, Gboko, and completed his Higher School Certificate at Government Secondary School, Kuru, near Jos. He then attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where he earned all three of his degrees:

• B.A. in English Language (1974)
• M.A. in Drama (1977)
• Ph.D. in Drama (1981)

Academic and Creative Career

Hagher began as a Graduate Assistant at the Centre for Nigerian Cultural Studies, ABU Zaria. He became a leading figure in Theatre for Development in Nigeria, using community-based plays to address issues such as youth reproductive health, corruption and HIV/AIDS.

In 1982 he became the founding Director of the Benue State Arts Council, where he worked with Tiv farming communities using Kwagh-Hir puppetry as a tool for social change. In 1990 he became Professor of Theatre and Drama for Development at the University of Jos, where he also chaired the Department of Theatre and Film Arts. He later served as the pioneer Pro-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University.

Kwagh-Hir Research and Writing

Hagher’s research on Kwagh-Hir spans more than three decades and has produced books, articles and films. He has also written plays, poetry and fiction centred on leadership, governance and social change. His published works include:

• The Tiv Kwagh-Hir: A Popular Nigerian Puppet Theatre (1990)
• The Kwagh-Hir Theatre: A Metaphor of Resistance (2003)
• Mulkin Mata (play)
• Nigeria: After the Nightmare
• Corruption in Africa: Fifteen Plays
• The Conquest of Azenga (novel), which won an Association of Nigerian Authors award

Political and Diplomatic Career

Senate and Constitutional Conference

Hagher was elected Senator for Benue North-East in 1983, during the Second Republic, and served as Deputy Chief Whip. His tenure ended when the military took over on 31 December 1983. In 1994 he was elected to the National Constitutional Conference, which sat until 1995.

Federal Cabinet

Under the military government of General Sani Abacha, Hagher served as:

• Minister of State for Power and Steel (1994 to 1997)
• Minister of State for Health (1997 to 1998)

Diplomacy

Hagher later moved into international relations and promoted cultural diplomacy through the arts and exchange programmes.

• Ambassador to Mexico: He served about 2004 to 2007, with concurrent accreditation to Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama.
• High Commissioner to Canada: He served from 2008 to 2012 as Head of Mission in Ottawa. His CV credits him with the signing of the Nigeria-Canada Bi-National Commission.

In 2019 he sought the presidency as an aspirant on the Social Democratic Party (SDP) platform.

Recognition and Later Years

In 2003 Hagher received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for contributions to the arts, peace and development. He moved to the United States in 2012 and lives in Dayton, Ohio. He is President of the African Leadership Institute USA, which runs leadership training, consulting and peace-building programmes for African public officials.

Personal Life

Hagher is married to Barrister Nancy Hagher, and they have five children.