After earning an English degree at University College Ibadan, Dapo Adelugba studied theatre arts at UCLA, with further training at the Pasadena Playhouse. While in the United States, he worked as an assistant at Lake Erie College and acted at the Karamu House, gaining practical experience in stagecraft.

He returned to Nigeria in 1967 to join the University of Ibadan, where he became a key figure in the newly emerging Theatre Arts department. During the Nigerian Civil War, he led the Orisun Theatre group, keeping it active through the crisis. In 1977, he directed Langbodo by Wale Ogunyemi as Nigeria’s drama entry for FESTAC 77, showcasing Nigerian theatre on a global stage.

Adelugba also played a major role in shaping cultural discourse through editorial work, including tributes to Wole Soyinka and Wale Ogunyemi, and by founding the LACE journal.