Saheed Adesumbo Bello

Dr. Saheed Adesumbo Bello is a Lecturer at the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, Nigeria, where he teaches theatre and film theories as well as theatre design and technology. He is also a practicing scenographer, director, and production manager with extensive experience bridging academic theory and practical application in creative arts.

His research centers on narrative as a mode of historical and philosophical thought, specifically exploring the intersection of ancient Ọ̀rúnmìlà philosophy and contemporary Nigerian/African theatre and film media. Dr. Bello has developed what he terms "Ọ̀rúnmìliàn film-philosophy," which examines how African oral philosophical traditions manifest in cinematic storytelling.

His primary research interests include:

• African film-philosophy
• Narrative adaptation from literature to film
• Ọ̀rúnmìlà oral philosophy in contemporary media
• Yoruba cultural aesthetics in film
• Decolonizing film theory through African perspectives
• Nigerian cinematic storytelling traditions

Dr. Bello's scholarly work analyzes significant Nigerian films such as 'Sango' (1997), 'Saworoide' (1999), 'The Figurine' (2009), and 'Half of a Yellow Sun' (2013), arguing that scholarship on these works has predominantly emphasized European philosophical frameworks while overlooking their inherent African philosophical dimensions. His research addresses critical questions about how African cinematic storytelling can serve as philosophy, contribute to healing and decolonization, and offer alternative worldviews.

His academic contributions span multiple areas of Nigerian creative arts, from analyzing motherhood representations in drama to examining technical aspects of stage design in reality television productions. Through his international presentations, including at the University of Bayreuth, Dr. Bello continues to advance the discourse on African-centered approaches to film and philosophy.