Over the decades, Nigerian playwrights have written plays devoid of folk materials such as myths, legends, folktales, folksongs, folkdances and other indigenous materials that can contribute effectively to the relevance of themes explored in Nigerian playwriting. In this direction, the study examines Sam Ukala’s theory of Folkism as it relates to playwriting in Nigeria. In doing this, content analysis was applied for its methodology. In the process, literary research instruments were used for data analysis. Among other findings is that plays written within the Nigerian context without indigenous folk materials are bound not to be interesting and are prone to poor reception by the Nigerian readers. The study recommends the need for Nigerian playwrights to involve more indigenous materials in the making of plays. The study therefore concludes that the availability of folk elements in the making of Nigerian plays will guarantee its wide acceptance, high relevance of themes explored and consequently project the culture of the Nigerian people.
