National Theatre Reborn as Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Arts
National Theatre Reborn as Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Arts
By Abraham Joshua,
Nigeria has ushered in a new cultural era as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially reopened the renovated National Theatre, now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, during the nation’s 65th Independence Day celebrations.
The event, attended by political leaders, business figures, and cultural icons, honored Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature. President Tinubu praised Professor Wole Soyinka as a “global treasure” and announced his personal support for an endowment fund to sustain the Centre.
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the reopening as a rebirth of Nigeria’s creative spirit, recalling the theatre’s historic role during FESTAC ’77 and noting new infrastructure developments, including a Blue Line Metro link and plans for a creative district.
Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso revealed that the Bankers’ Committee invested N68 billion in the transformation, calling it a model of public-private partnership and a symbol of national renewal.
Soyinka, who once dismissed the old theatre as beyond repair, admitted with humor that he was “glad to eat his words,” expressing hope that the Centre would inspire future generations of Nigerian artists.
Now equipped with modern performance halls, rehearsal studios, a literature library, and advanced audio-visual systems, the Centre positions Nigeria on the global cultural stage. General Manager Tola Akerele emphasized its potential to create jobs, empower young talent, and boost Nigeria’s international standing in arts and culture.
The rebirth of the National Theatre into the Wole Soyinka Centre stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, creativity, and pride for the nation.
