Conference paper
Performing Protection: State Gender Rhetoric and Women's Rights in Nigeria
American Political Science Association · Boston · September 2026
Ibi Kontein
Researcher · Playwright · Theatre Producer
I research what states promise women during and after conflict, and what those promises actually produce. I do that as a PhD researcher in International Relations at American University, and as a playwright, producer and director. Sabi Arts, the theatre company I founded in 2018, asks the same questions on stage.
Research
Research
Nigeria and West Africa. State protection rhetoric, gender and security, political legitimacy and post-conflict governance, and democracy and authoritarian influence in Africa.
Practice
Creative Practice
Plays about the things people would rather not discuss over dinner, written, directed and produced through Sabi Arts, which I founded in 2018.
Currently
- PhD ResearcherSchool of International Service, American University
- Doctoral FellowInstitute on Disability and Public Policy
- Student Fellow, 2025-26Center for Security, Innovation, and New Technology
- Founder & Creative DirectorSabi Arts
Selected work
Four things I have been doing lately. They are more related than they look.
Theatre
Dear Applicant
Writer, Director, Producer · 2024 to 2025 · Lagos, London, Edinburgh
Disability policy
COSP19, United Nations Headquarters
Doctoral Fellow, Institute on Disability and Public Policy · New York · 2026
Community and education
Education support initiative
Exam fees and school materials · Port Harcourt · Since 2019
For enquiries and invitations,
hello@ibikontein.com