The rebirth of Nigeria’s creative industry hub; the National Arts Theatre Lagos; as was previously known, now Wole Soyinka Centre For Culture and Creative Arts which began in July 2021 during the administration of Late President Muhammadu Buhari is now ready for use.
In commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary the edifice which has been renovated to a world-class standard was on Wednesday October 1st 2025 unveiled by President Bola Tinubu who lauded the efforts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers’ Committee and the Federal Ministry of Arts Culture Tourism and Creative Economy for bringing this to reality.
The National Arts Theatre Iganmu Lagos which was built by the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon in 1976 was commissioned by General Olusegun Obasanjo on September 30th 1976; ahead of the World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77).
The theatre served as a convergence hub for performing artistes in Nigeria to do live theatre, cultural exhibitions, festivals, dance shows, film screenings among other events.
Forty five years after the once beautiful edifice was built, it gradually became a shadow of itself prompting the need to remodel to a state-of-the-art standard beginning in July of 2021 with the bankers committee and the Central Bank of Nigeria financing the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts Culture Tourism and the Creative Economy and public private partnership.
Now that the renovated national arts theatre is ready for use; the Hannatu Musawa led Ministry of Arts Culture Tourism and Creative Economy is excited that the edifice has now come to stay.
The Chief host of the state Governor Babajide Sanwoolu says the remodelled national arts theatre now Wole Soyinka Center for Culture and Creative Arts is an edifice for world-class cultural exhibitions festivals and performances.
President Bola Tinubu who described the renovation as a laudable feat urged members of the creative industry to make the best use of the facility.
It might interest you to know that the exterior of the National Theatre was designed to represent a military cap, hence the nickname “Fila Gowon” or “The General’s Cap”.
(Editor: Ena Agbanoma)
