Tinubu expressed optimism that the rebirth of the theatre would revive the promotion of arts, culture, and the creative economy in Nigeria.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the decision to rename the renovated National Theatre after Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, calling it a deserving tribute to a figure whose contributions have elevated Nigeria’s global reputation in the creative arts and human rights advocacy.
Tinubu expressed optimism that the rebirth of the theatre would revive the promotion of arts, culture, and the creative economy in Nigeria.
In July 2024, he renamed the theatre the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in honour of Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, who was also the guest of honour at the commissioning ceremony.
According to the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said:
“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.”
The President urged Nigerians, both at home and abroad, to refrain from speaking ill of the country, stressing that the nation is 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,” Tinubu said.
He also commended Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Central Bank Governor Yemi Cardoso, and the Bankers’ Committee, which contributed N68 billion to renovate the theatre, originally built in 1976.
Tinubu urged Cardoso to institute an endowment fund for the facility’s maintenance and called on its managers to create jobs, prevent it from degenerating as it had in the past, and preserve it in honour of Professor Soyinka’s legacy.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his remarks, lauded the efforts of the Federal Government—under former President Muhammadu Buhari and now President Tinubu—as well as the Central Bank for reviving the theatre after years of neglect. He added that Lagos State supported the renewal by making more land available and providing a nearby railway station 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,” he said.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, described the commissioning as a turning point for Nigeria’s cultural and creative destiny.
“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,” Musawa said.
Soyinka expressed appreciation to the President and the CBN for reviving the theatre, admitting that he had never believed it could be salvaged given its level of decay during his last visit.
He said he had initially been reluctant to accept the honour, as he had previously criticised the practice of naming monuments after living leaders and public figures, but noted that Tinubu made it impossible for him to decline.
CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso said the renovated edifice now features world-class halls, exhibition galleries, cinema halls, and modernised infrastructure.
“It was also to honour Nigeria’s artistic heroes and emphasise the potential of the creative industry to drive economic growth and diversification,” Cardoso said.
Distinguished personalities at the event included First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu, senators, federal and state lawmakers, governors, Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, First Lady of Lagos State Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, ministers, traditional rulers, and other senior officials.
The occasion also featured performances by the National Troupe of Nigeria, the Gerald Eze Ensemble, MudArt House Company, and Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions.
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