Nigeria renames National Theatre Lagos as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts after major N68bn renovation

Nigeria’s National Theatre in Lagos has been officially renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, honouring the Nobel Laureate’s immense contribution to arts and literature.

Also read: Wole Soyinka rejects U.S. visa reinterview invitation

The renaming ceremony, held on Tuesday, followed a ₦68 billion renovation funded by the Bankers’ Committee, marking one of the most ambitious cultural infrastructure projects in Nigeria’s history.

Speaking at the reopening, Prof Wole Soyinka admitted accepting the honour with “mixed feelings,” citing his past criticism of naming public monuments after individuals.

“I have to stand up in public and watch my name being put up as yet another appropriator. It just didn’t seem very well for me,” he said.

However, the 89-year-old said the transformation of the once-dilapidated theatre by the Bankers’ Committee made him eat his words.”

“Before the renovation, I thought the building was irredeemable. But the Bankers’ Committee has made me eat my words,” Soyinka noted, recalling past incidents — including near-electrocution of two actors during rehearsals due to poor infrastructure.

He added, “This building belongs to me. It belongs to me,” reflecting his emotional connection to the structure since its inception in the 1970s.

President Bola Tinubu, who officially commissioned the renamed centre, dismissed any controversy around the decision.

“Prof Wole Soyinka is one of the greatest assets of the world. So, the renaming could not have gone to anyone else,” Tinubu said.

He also announced the establishment of a National Arts Theatre Endowment Fund, to ensure sustainable maintenance of the facility.

Tinubu called on Nigerians, especially the youth, to “stop speaking ill of the country” and work together for its development.

The revamped structure retains its iconic design — originally completed in 1976 and inaugurated at FESTAC ’77 — but now offers:

World-class performance halls
Cinema and exhibition spaces
An African literature library
Rehearsal and medical facilities
Modern infrastructure and green spaces
Seamless connectivity with Lagos Blue Line rail

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, representing the Bankers’ Committee, described the project as more than a renovation — “a rebirth of Nigeria’s cultural identity.”

“This project stands as proof that when public and private sectors unite behind a shared national purpose, there is no limit to what Nigeria can achieve,” he said.

Notable figures at the event included:

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady
Godswill Akpabio, Senate President
Olayemi Cardoso, CBN Governor
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Minister Hannatu Musawa, Culture & Creative Economy

Also read: Wole Soyinka rejects U.S. visa reinterview invitation

The consensus among speakers was that the revitalised centre would serve as a beacon of African creativity and a fitting tribute to Soyinka’s legacy as Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature.