As Nigeria celebrates its 65th Independence Anniversary on October 1, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to inaugurate the newly renovated National Arts Theatre located in Iganmu, Lagos. This landmark event signifies a major milestone in preserving and promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage and creative arts sector.
The National Theatre has undergone a comprehensive $100 million renovation funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers’ Committee as a symbol of national pride and investment in the creative economy. The renovation includes state-of-the-art upgrades such as a modern HVAC system, enhanced fire safety measures, new audio-visual technology, world-class stage engineering, solar power integration, updated electrical and water systems, and restored interior artworks.
In July 2024, President Tinubu renamed the theatre the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in honor of Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, underscoring the theatre’s cultural significance. The inauguration ceremony will feature performances by the National Troupe and other prominent artists, with special remarks planned from Prof. Wole Soyinka himself.
Key dignitaries expected to attend include state governors, members of the National Assembly, diplomats, business leaders, cultural icons, and youth leaders. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, will also deliver goodwill messages during the event.
The administration views the reopening of the National Theatre as not just a preservation of historical legacy but also a catalyst for economic growth in Nigeria’s estimated $25 billion creative industry. Governor Sanwo-Olu described the theatre as a world-class venue for arts, culture, tourism, and global conferences.
This grand inauguration marks Nigeria’s renewed commitment to nurturing its rich cultural identity while boosting opportunities in creative arts and tourism, aligning with the government’s broader vision for national development.
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