Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially unveiled the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Iganmu, Lagos, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre. The inauguration, held on October 1, 2025, coincided with Nigeria's 65th Independence Day celebrations and marked a significant milestone in the country’s cultural renaissance.
The extensive renovation project, financed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers’ Committee, represents a bold private-sector commitment to Nigeria’s cultural and creative industries. The federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy provided policy oversight to ensure the rejuvenated facility serves as a national asset and a launchpad for the arts and creative sectors.
The upgraded Wole Soyinka Centre features state-of-the-art enhancements, including a completely overhauled HVAC system, advanced audio-visual and lighting technology, modern stage engineering, 17 new passenger lifts, solar power integration, and restored historic artworks. These upgrades bring the facility to world-class standards, ideal for hosting global performances, conferences, and cultural festivals.
The inauguration ceremony featured enthralling performances by the National Troupe and other leading artists. Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka delivered special remarks, reflecting on the centre's cultural significance. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Minister Hannatu Musawa also delivered goodwill messages, highlighting the centre’s potential to boost Nigeria’s creative economy, valued at an estimated $25 billion.
Originally built during the Yakubu Gowon administration and famously hosting the 1977 FESTAC, the theatre’s transformation into the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts signals a new era for Nigeria’s arts and cultural heritage.