- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has officially unveiled the remodeled National Theatre in Lagos State.
As part of the celebration of Nigeria’s independence anniversary, the President had on Wednesday arrived alongside First Oluremi Tinubu at the monumental and historical building now named after Nigerian Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
The National Theatre, now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture & the Creative Arts, was remodeled by the Bankers Committee headed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in partnership with the Lagos State Government.
As recalled in a post shared on X by Jubril Gawat, media aide to the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the renovation of the monument commenced following that approval by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Bankers Committee led by the then CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2021 with the Federal Government to revamp and upgrade the National Theatre.
According to Gawat, the features of the remodelled centre include a World Class 5,000-seater main amphitheatre flanked by two world-class cinema rooms, 3000-seater banquet hall, exhibition halls, VIP Spaces, creative hubs, Green rooms, and over 300 toilets amongst others.
In the wake of its completion, the unveiling of the renovated facility attracted notable dignitaries who, led by Sanwo-Olu, include the current CBN Governor , Olayemi Cardoso, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.
Also present at the event is the host of the occasion himself, Prof Wole Soyinka, who personally received Tinubu on his arrival at the centre.
As captured in a video shared on X, the duo had exchanged pleasantaries before being ushered into the theatre.
Speaking at the unveiling of the theatre, Tinubu expressed his belief that the rebirth of the theatre will revive the promotion of arts, culture, and the creative economy in Nigeria.
The President, as quoted in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, decribed Soyinka as one of the greatest assets in the world.
“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,” Tinubu said.
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,” Tinubu counselled.
The President commended the Governor of Lagos State, the Governor of the CBN, Yemi Cardoso, and the Bankers’ Committee, which contributed N68 billion to renovate the theatre, built in 1976.
He also called on Cardoso to institute an endowment fund for its maintenance while urging 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.
On his part, 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.
The Lagos State Government said the 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.” He said.
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.” The Minister of Arts and Culture said.
In his remark, Professor Wole 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.
Meanwhile, the CBN Governor, Olayemi 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.