National Theatre Rebirth: Only Soyinka Deserves This Honour – Tinubu Declares

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that renaming the newly renovated National Theatre after Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, was a fitting way to celebrate the life and legacy of a man whose works have placed Nigeria permanently on the global stage.

Speaking at the official unveiling of the edifice in Lagos, Tinubu described Soyinka as “one of the most talented and creative minds” whose contributions to literature, human rights, and nation-building remain unrivalled.

“Uncle Wole Soyinka is one of the world’s greatest assets. I remember your contributions to our struggle, to freedom, and to building our nation. It could not have been anyone else. Only Soyinka deserves this honour, and I knew you would not disobey this President,” the President said, as he formally renamed the complex the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.

Tinubu expressed optimism that the rebirth of the theatre, first built in 1976, would usher in a new era for the creative industry, revive the promotion of arts and culture, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a hub for cultural excellence.

He called on Nigerians at home and abroad to refrain from disparaging their country, insisting that the nation was 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,” he urged.

The President commended Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, and the Bankers’ Committee, which invested N68 billion in the renovation.

He also charged the CBN Governor to establish an endowment fund to ensure the maintenance of the landmark and directed its managers to create jobs and prevent the facility from falling again into disrepair.

Sanwo-Olu lauded the Federal Government under both former President Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu for reviving the theatre after decades of neglect.

He said Lagos supported the renewal by making more land available and building a railway station nearby to improve accessibility. “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.

Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, described the unveiling as a turning point in Nigeria’s cultural and creative destiny.

She praised the President for creating a ministry solely dedicated to the creative sector for the first time in the country’s history.

In his remarks, Soyinka admitted he was reluctant to accept the honour because of his long-standing reservations about renaming monuments after living figures.

However, he noted that Tinubu’s insistence made it impossible for him to decline. He thanked the Federal Government and the CBN for salvaging a monument he had once believed was beyond repair.

Cardoso said the renovation produced a world-class facility with modernised exhibition halls, cinemas, galleries, and performance spaces. According to him, the effort was inspired by Tinubu’s vision of preserving heritage while projecting Nigeria’s cultural influence globally.

The event drew an impressive list of dignitaries, including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu, state governors, ministers, legislators, traditional rulers, and senior government officials. Guests were treated to performances by the National Troupe of Nigeria, the Gerald Eze Ensemble, MudArt House Company, and Bolade Austen-Peters Productions.