President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, October 1, inaugurated the renovated National Arts Theatre in Lagos, now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, urging Nigerians to embrace optimism, unity, and patriotism.
The event, held as part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebrations, was attended by top government officials, business leaders, diplomats, and cultural icons. Among them were Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, lawmakers, and stakeholders from the creative industry.
The multi-billion-naira transformation of the iconic FESTAC ’77 edifice was spearheaded by the CBN-led Bankers’ Committee in partnership with the Federal and Lagos State governments. Tinubu described the renaming in honour of Africa’s first Nobel Laureate as a fitting tribute to one of Nigeria’s greatest cultural figures.
“Stop speaking negatively about Nigeria,” the President said. “We are a proud people. This country will succeed. Please, believe in Nigeria. Put Nigeria first.” He also pledged to contribute to an endowment fund to ensure the Centre’s sustainability.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the rebirth of the Theatre symbolises Nigeria’s renewed cultural journey. “This landmark is not just concrete and steel but a heartbeat of unity and progress,” he remarked, noting Lagos’ support in providing adjoining land and linking the facility to the city’s new rail system.
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Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso disclosed that Nigerian banks invested N68 billion in the project, positioning the Centre as a cultural and economic hub. He highlighted its new facilities, including performance halls, cinemas, exhibition galleries, literature spaces, and digital integration.
Professor Wole Soyinka, speaking candidly, admitted mixed feelings about the Centre being named after him but called its revival a “collective ownership” for the nation’s creative community.
Originally built for FESTAC ’77, the Theatre had suffered decades of neglect. Its revival is expected to serve as a nucleus for cultural exchange, economic opportunity, and international collaborations. Analysts say it could boost Nigeria’s $15 billion creative economy while creating jobs and enhancing soft power.
As Lagos lit up with Independence fireworks, the commissioning signalled not just heritage preservation but cultural renewal. “Almost five decades after FESTAC, Nigeria has another chance to tell its story,” Sanwo-Olu declared.
