President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that renaming the renovated National Theatre after Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka was a fitting way to honour the legacy of a man of many parts, whose works had permanently put Nigeria on the global stage in terms of the creative industry and human rights advocacy.
President Tinubu said this on Wednesday at the inauguration of the renovated National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, as part of events commemorating Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary. The edifice was built in 1976.
Tinubu expressed his belief that the rebirth of the theatre would revive the promotion of arts, culture and the creative economy in Nigeria, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesman, said in a statement.
In July 2024, President Tinubu renamed the theatre the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in honour of Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, a guest of honour at the event.
“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,” 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 was 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 Lagos State, the Governor of the 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.
President Tinubu 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 Prof. Soyinka’s legacy.
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide 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 governor stated.
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,” she said.
Prof. 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, 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.
The occasion witnessed performances by the National Troupe of Nigeria, the Gerald Eze Ensemble, MudArt House Company and Bolade Austen-Peters Productions.