By Akinwale Kasali
After years of neglect, the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, revamped with N68b, and renamed after, Nobel Laurete, Professor Wole Soyinka, has been commissioned by President Bola Tinubu.
The national edifice which was bedeviled by poor management and structural defect, was given the multi-billion Naira face-lift by a consortium led by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Committee of Bankers as well as the Lagos State Government. It now brags as one of the finest Cultural and Art Centers in Africa.
President Tinubu performed the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, October 2, as part of events to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
During the ceremony, the President said renaming the National Theatre after Soyinka is a fitting way to honour the legacy of a man of many parts, whose works have permanently put Nigeria on the global stage in terms of the creative industry and human rights advocacy.
He expressed his belief that the rebirth of the theatre will revive the promotion of arts, culture, and the creative economy in Nigeria. Soyinka was the Special Guest at the ceremony.
Recall that in July 2024, President Tinubu renamed the National Theatre to Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in honour of Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate.
Said Mr President at the ceremony: “Uncle Wole Soyinka is one of the most talented and creative minds. I remember your contribution to our struggle, nation-building and freedom. You are one of the world’s greatest assets. It could not have been anyone else, and I knew you would not disobey this President.”
He reiterated his call on Nigerians, both within and outside the country, to refrain from speaking ill of the country, as the nation is destined for greatness.
“This is a country of very proud people. We know what we are. It is about us believing in ourselves. From our parents, we inherited a nation of great, confident, and dedicated people. This country will succeed. Let us enjoy the glory. Lift Nigeria, believe in Nigeria. Put Nigeria first,” President Tinubu counselled.
The President commended the Governor of LagosBabajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Yemi Cardoso, and the Bankers’ Committee, which contributed N68 billion to renovate the theatre, built in 1976.
President Tinubu also called on Cardoso to institute an endowment fund for its maintenance.
He urged the managers of the edifice to create jobs, prevent it from degenerating as it had in the past, and preserve it in honour of Professor Soyinka’s legacy.
Governor of Lagos State, Sanwo-Olu, commended the efforts of the Federal Government, under the Late President Muhammadu Buhari and now President Tinubu, as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria, for reviving the theatre after many years of neglect.
He said the Lagos State Government also contributed to the renewal by making more land available and providing a railway station close to the edifice to facilitate access.
“We gather not only to witness the commissioning of a renovated edifice, but to celebrate the rebirth of a national icon —the National Arts Theatre, now rightfully renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.
“This landmark is more than concrete and steel; it is the heartbeat of our nation’s creative soul. It stands as a reminder that culture is not an accessory to development; it is the foundation upon which identity, unity, and progress are built.”
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, described the day as a turning point for Nigeria’s cultural and creative destiny and a rebirth of the cultural landmark.
“We are privileged to have a President who is intentional about establishing a Ministry dedicated solely to the creative industry. It has never been done in Nigeria’s history. We also have a President passionate about economic and financial empowerment.”
Professor Soyinka expressed his appreciation to the President and the CBN for reviving the theatre, admitting that he had never believed it could be salvaged, given the level of degeneration he had observed during his last visit.
He said he had reservations about accepting that the monument be named after him, given his known criticisms of renaming monuments after living leaders and important people.
He said President Tinubu made it impossible for him to reject the honour.
The CBN Governor, Cardoso, said the renovated edifice features world-class halls, exhibition galleries, cinema halls and modernised infrastructure.
He added that the renovation was inspired by the President’s vision and aimed to preserve Nigeria’s heritage and project its influence globally.
“It was also to honour Nigeria’s artistic heroes and emphasise the potential of the creative industry to drive economic growth and diversification,” the CBN governor said.
Distinguished personalities at the event included the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu, Senators, members of the National and State Assemblies, Governors, Deputy Governor of Lagos, Obafemi Hamzat, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Ministers, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, traditional rulers and other senior government officials.
The occasion witnessed performances by the National Troupe of Nigeria, the Gerald Eze Ensemble, MudArt House Company and Bolade Austen-Peters Productions.
Meanwhile, the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, has commended President Tinubu, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Bankers’ Committee for their role in the successful revamp and commissioning of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
AFRIMA described the restoration of the cultural landmark as a bold step in safeguarding Nigeria’s creative heritage and empowering the arts sector.
The historic edifice, originally opened in 1976, has been revamped and upgraded as part of efforts to reposition Nigeria’s creative economy.
AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mike Dada, described the development as a milestone for Nigeria’s cultural industries and a symbol of renewed confidence in the creative sector.
“The National Arts Theatre has played a crucial role in nurturing African creativity, serving for decades as a hub for music, theatre, film and cultural festivals. Its revival speaks volumes about Nigeria’s vision and the dedication of stakeholders like the CBN and the Bankers’ Committee to supporting the creative economy. This is not just a building restored, but a renewal of cultural confidence and an investment in future generations of Nigerian and African talent,” Dada said.
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