By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially renamed the newly renovated National Theatre in Lagos as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, in honour of Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.
Precise Post recalls that the renaming was part of a grand commissioning event held on October 1, 2025, coinciding with Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebrations.
Speaking at the event, President Tinubu described the gesture as a fitting tribute to a man whose literary and human rights contributions have placed Nigeria firmly on the global map, the statement released on the X handle of his Special Adviser (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga 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,” Tinubu said. “It could not have been anyone else, and I knew you would not disobey this President.”
The President highlighted the rebirth of the iconic theatre as a turning point for Nigeria’s creative economy. He praised the collaborative effort between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lagos State Government, and the Bankers’ Committee, which invested N68 billion into the massive renovation project.
Tinubu urged the managers of the new centre to ensure its preservation, create jobs, and maintain the facility as a lasting symbol of Professor Soyinka’s legacy. He also called on the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, to establish an endowment fund to guarantee long-term maintenance.
President Tinubu seized the moment to encourage national pride and optimism: “This country will succeed. Let us enjoy the glory. Lift Nigeria, believe in Nigeria. Put Nigeria first.”
Professor Soyinka, visibly moved, expressed deep appreciation for the honour but admitted to having initial reservations about the renaming, citing his long-standing opposition to naming monuments after living persons. However, he noted that Tinubu made it impossible for him to decline.
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised the project as a “rebirth of a national icon,” and underscored the Lagos State Government’s support through land provision and improved infrastructure, including a nearby railway station.
“This landmark is more than concrete and steel; it is the heartbeat of our nation’s creative soul,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, hailed the day as a cultural milestone. She lauded President Tinubu’s commitment to the creative sector, noting the historic creation of a ministry solely dedicated to it.
CBN Governor Cardoso detailed the upgrades, which include state-of-the-art exhibition halls, cinema rooms, and modernised infrastructure, all aligned with the President’s vision to make Nigeria a global cultural powerhouse.
The high-profile event was attended by top government officials including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, several governors, traditional rulers, and prominent figures from the arts and entertainment industry.
Cultural performances from the National Troupe of Nigeria, MudArt House Company, Gerald Eze Ensemble, and Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions added colour and pageantry to the historic occasion.
