Tinubu to commission renovated National Theatre on Independence Day

By Kunle Sanni –

President Bola Tinubu will inaugurate the newly renovated National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, on October 1, Independence Day, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced on Monday.

The project, financed by the CBN and the Bankers’ Committee, represents a major investment in Nigeria’s cultural heritage and creative economy. The facility, which Tinubu renamed in July 2024 as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in honour of the Nobel Laureate, is expected to reopen with a high-profile ceremony.

The event will draw state governors, federal lawmakers, diplomats, business leaders, academics, cultural ambassadors, and youth representatives. Performances by the National Troupe and leading artists will highlight the reopening, alongside remarks from Prof. Wole Soyinka. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso will deliver the welcome address, with goodwill messages from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.

The CBN, Bankers’ Committee, and the ministry described the reopening as both a tribute to Nigeria’s cultural legacy and a platform for creative industry growth. While the financial institutions handled the renovation, the ministry’s role in policy and programming is expected to position the theatre as a national hub for the arts.

The overhaul includes a new HVAC system, modern fire safety infrastructure, upgraded water, sewage, and electrical systems, advanced stage technology, 17 passenger lifts, solar integration, and restored artworks across the building’s façade and interior.

“This is not just an edifice; it represents our history and culture,” Cardoso said. “Its transformation into a world-class facility is a testament to the Nigerian spirit.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the centre as a venue capable of hosting international conferences and performances, while Minister Musawa hailed it as “a gift to the nation and a source of pride.”

Built during the Yakubu Gowon administration and completed in 1976 under General Olusegun Obasanjo, the National Theatre gained global prominence when it hosted FESTAC ’77, the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture.