Wole Soyinka (left) and some performers at the theatre during its commissioning on October 1, 2025
Source: Africa Publicity
As part of the celebrations marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presided over the unveiling of the newly restored National Arts Theatre, now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
Originally built for the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 1977, the iconic facility had fallen into neglect in recent years. It has now undergone a significant transformation through a public-private collaboration led by the Bankers’ Committee and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a project initiated under the leadership of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Renaming the centre after Wole Soyinka pays tribute to the distinguished playwright and Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature. The government described the move as a recognition of Soyinka’s lifelong dedication to justice, freedom, and artistic excellence.
President Tinubu says “By renaming it the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, we honour Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature, whose fearless voice and lifelong service to justice and freedom inspire us all.”
He urged that “This centre must never again fall into decay. It will serve as a hub for nurturing talent, promoting free expression, and powering Nigeria’s creative economy, ensuring that new generations of artists and thinkers bring glory to our nation.”
The rejuvenated centre is set to become a cornerstone for Nigeria’s cultural and creative sectors. Designed as a platform to nurture emerging talent and promote free expression, the facility is expected to fuel growth in the creative economy and serve as an enduring symbol of Nigeria’s cultural wealth.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Bankers’ Committee for its role in the project and emphasized the importance of preserving the centre’s legacy for future generations.
