President Bola Tinubu will on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, inaugurate the newly renovated National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts. The ceremony will form part of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The extensive renovation, funded and executed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers’ Committee, is described as one of the most ambitious private-sector-led interventions in the country’s cultural infrastructure. The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy provided policy oversight to reposition the theatre as a national asset and a hub for Nigeria’s creative industries.
Tinubu, who in July 2024 approved the renaming of the edifice in honour of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, is expected to lead a distinguished audience including state governors, lawmakers, diplomats, business leaders, cultural icons, academics, and youth representatives. The reopening will feature performances by the National Troupe and other artists, as well as special remarks by Soyinka.
According to a joint statement by the CBN, the Bankers’ Committee, and the ministry, the reopening celebrates Nigeria’s cultural heritage while positioning the theatre as a launchpad for the creative economy. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso will deliver the welcome address, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa will give goodwill messages.
The renovated facility now meets international standards for performance and theatre infrastructure. Upgrades include a modern HVAC system, enhanced fire safety features, new water, sewage and electrical systems, advanced audio-visual and lighting technology, world-class stage engineering, 17 new passenger lifts, solar power integration, refurbished interiors and furniture, and restoration of historic artworks across the building.
Cardoso described the project as a symbol of Nigeria’s resilience and identity, saying: “This is not just an edifice; it represents our history and culture. Its transformation into a world-class facility is a testament to the Nigerian spirit.”
Sanwo-Olu noted that the centre would serve both cultural and economic purposes, stating: “It will not only showcase arts, tourism, and culture, but will also serve as a world-class venue for global conferences and performances.” Musawa added that the project is “a gift to the nation and a source of pride,” highlighting its role in preserving heritage while expanding opportunities in the creative sector.
First conceived under General Yakubu Gowon and completed in 1976 during General Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime, the National Theatre gained global prominence when it hosted the 1977 Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77). With its transformation, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts is expected to anchor Nigeria’s cultural renaissance and serve as a global stage for the country’s creative economy.
