President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially inaugurated the refurbished National Theatre in Lagos, now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Arts, in honour of Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature.
The project, executed by the Bankers’ Committee at a cost of N68 billion, marks one of the largest cultural investments in Nigeria’s recent history.
Tinubu described the renaming as a fitting tribute to Soyinka’s lifelong commitment to democracy, justice, and nation-building. “He is one of our greatest assets to the world. This honour is well deserved,” the President said.
The President applauded Central Bank Governor, Yemi Cardoso, and his team for completing the revitalisation, first initiated under Godwin Emefiele. He urged them to create an endowment fund to safeguard the centre’s sustainability and prevent it from falling into neglect again.
Tinubu also challenged Nigerians to shun negative profiling of the country. “Believe in Nigeria. This nation will not disintegrate in my arms. It will be great again,” he declared.
Speaking at the event, Cardoso said the centre was “an investment in youth, in the Nigerian story, and in our global identity.” He noted that the complex would generate billions in annual revenue, create thousands of jobs, and serve as a beacon of innovation and unity.
The state-of-the-art facility, now linked to the Lagos Blue Line rail system, features cinemas, galleries, exhibition spaces, and a modern library—positioning arts and culture at the heart of Lagos city life.
Prof. Wole Soyinka, visibly humbled, quipped that he had been “ambushed” by the honour. Still, he expressed optimism that the centre would restore Africa’s pride by ensuring its arts and culture flourish on home soil rather than abroad.
