President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, inaugurate the newly renovated National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The landmark $100 million renovation, funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers’ Committee, is being hailed as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s cultural heritage and creative economy. In July 2024, Tinubu renamed the theatre the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in honour of the Nobel Laureate.
According to a joint statement by the CBN, the Bankers’ Committee, and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, the reopening celebrates Nigeria’s cultural legacy while expanding the creative industries. The Ministry will oversee programming, policy, and coordination to ensure the facility functions as a national cultural asset.
CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso described the project as transformative. “This is not just an edifice; it represents our history and culture. Its rebirth into a world-class facility is a testament to the Nigerian spirit,” he said, linking the project to a $25 billion creative sector opportunity.
The inauguration will feature performances by the National Troupe and top talents, with Prof. Wole Soyinka delivering special remarks. Cardoso will present the welcome address, while Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa will give goodwill messages.
Sanwo-Olu noted the theatre’s versatility as a global venue for arts, tourism, culture, and international conferences, while Musawa called the project “both symbolic and practical,” highlighting its role in preserving cultural assets and creating industry opportunities.
The upgraded facility now meets world-class performance standards, featuring modern HVAC systems, fire safety upgrades, advanced stage engineering, solar integration, 17 new lifts, enhanced audio-visual and lighting systems, and restored historic artworks.
Originally built in 1976 and famously hosting FESTAC ’77, the National Theatre has long stood as a cultural symbol. With its transformation, it is now set to drive Nigeria’s next wave of cultural and creative renaissance.
