Tinubu commissions renovated National Theatre, urges managers to create jobs, maintain edifice + Photos

*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissions the rehabilitated National Theatre, renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, in Iganmu, Lagos State, assuring Nigerians the revival of the iconic theatre will revive the promotion of arts, culture, and the creative economy in Nigeria

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the revamped National Theatre, in Iganmu, Lagos State, and renamed the iconic arts and cultural facility after Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.

ConsumerConnect reports President Tinubu, speaking at the event, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, restated it was a fitting way to honour the legacy of a man of many parts (Prof. Soyinka), whose works have permanently put Nigeria on the global stage in terms of the creative industry and human rights advocacy.

The newly-renovated and commissioned Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, in Iganmu, Lagos

The President also assured Nigerians that rebirth of the theatre would revive the promotion of arts, culture, and the creative economy in the West African country.

It is recalled President Tinubu, July 2024, had announced the renaming of the theatre as the “Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts” in honour of Africa’s first and Nigerian Nobel Laureate.

The Nigerian leader further noted: “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.”

‘Lift Nigeria, believe in Nigeria. Put Nigeria first,’ President urges citizens

Urging Nigerians, both within and outside the country, to refrain from speaking ill of their fatherland, the President emphasised the country is destined for greatness.

Prof. Wole Soyinka; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; CBN Governor Yemi Cardoso, and First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, During the Commissioning of the 4,000 Capacity Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement Wednesday, also quoted President Tinubu to have said: “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.”

The President applauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of CBN, and the Nigerian Bankers’ Committee, which contributed N68 billion to renovate the theatre, built in 1976.

Tinubu as well urged Cardoso to institute an endowment fund for its maintenance.

President Tinubu urged the managers of the renovated edifice to create jobs, prevent it from degenerating as it had in the past, and preserve it in honour of Prof. Soyinka’s legacy.

In his remarks, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the efforts of the Federal Government, under late ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and now President Tinubu, as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria, for reviving the theatre several 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.

The Lagos Governor said: “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.

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“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.”

Hannatu Musawa, Honourable Minister for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, described Wednesday as a turning point for Nigeria’s cultural and creative destiny and a rebirth of the cultural landmark.

Musawa stated: “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.”

Soyinka expresses appreciation to President Tinubu

Commenting on the honour accorded him in regard to renaming of the iconic edifice, Prof. Soyinka expressed his appreciation to the President and the CBN for reviving the theatre.

The Nobel Laureate admitted that he had never believed that the theatre could be revived, given the level of degeneration he had observed during his last visit.

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Tinubu Commissions Renovated National Theatre, Urges Managers To Create Jobs, Maintain Edifice + Photos

He also revealed that he initially had reservations about accepting that the monument be named after him, in respect of his known criticisms of renaming monuments after living leaders and important people.

Soyinka, however, disclosed that President Tinubu’s insistence 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.

The renovation was inspired by the President’s vision and aimed to preserve Nigeria’s heritage and project its influence globally.

The CBN Chief remarked: “It was also to honour Nigeria’s artistic heroes and emphasise the potential of the creative industry to drive economic growth and diversification.”

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.

Others are State 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.

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