President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace a spirit of optimism and stop speaking negatively about the country, insisting that Nigeria is destined to succeed against all odds. The President made this declaration on Wednesday during the reopening of the refurbished National Arts Theatre in Lagos, renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, an event that coincided with the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary. Addressing the gathering, Tinubu described the restoration of the iconic theatre as a testament to the resilience of the Nigerian spirit and proof that the nation can rise above setbacks to achieve greatness. He urged citizens to keep faith in the country, saying Nigeria remains the giant of Africa that will not collapse or disintegrate under his leadership. According to him, the rebirth of the theatre must not only preserve history but also generate employment, stimulate the creative economy, and expand opportunities for young people. He directed the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, along with the Bankers’ Committee, to establish an endowment fund to support the Centre, pledging his personal contribution as a show of commitment. Tinubu assured Nigerians that the worst days are over, declaring that the nation has turned a corner and is on the path to prosperity with proper management.
In his remarks, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso explained that the ₦68 billion intervention by the Bankers’ Committee in the restoration project was not merely corporate social responsibility but a strategic investment in the youth, in Nigerian stories, and in positioning the country on the global cultural map. He recalled the theatre’s legacy as the heart of FESTAC ’77, its decades of neglect, and its transformation into a modern cultural hub boasting world-class performance halls, cinemas, galleries, and upgraded facilities. Cardoso commended President Tinubu, Lagos State, and other cultural stakeholders, noting that the new Centre must remain a beacon of creativity, pride, and national unity.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, in whose honour the Centre was renamed, praised the Bankers’ Committee for spearheading the project, describing the restoration as a landmark in Nigeria’s cultural revival. Accepting the honour with mixed emotions, Soyinka cautioned against the indiscriminate naming of monuments after leaders, recalling how he once challenged the dedication of a public space to a dictator. The playwright lamented years of neglect of African theatre pioneers but commended those who transformed the dilapidated complex into a global standard facility. With characteristic humour, Soyinka recounted past challenges at the theatre, including poor design that once nearly electrocuted actors during performances, but emphasized that the new Centre should serve as a stage for African creativity, cultural unity, and global expression.
Also speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hailed the project as a landmark achievement and a foundation for the future of Nigeria’s creative industry. He highlighted how the theatre, once abandoned after its FESTAC ’77 glory, has been restored through collaborative efforts between the federal government, Lagos State, and private stakeholders. According to him, the Centre is now set to function as a hub for cultural excellence, innovation, and national pride. Sanwo-Olu praised President Tinubu’s support for the project and described the rebirth of the National Theatre as a beacon of unity and a powerful symbol of Nigeria’s artistic renaissance.
The reopening of the National Theatre as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts has been widely hailed as a milestone for Nigeria’s cultural and creative landscape, reinforcing hopes that the nation’s creative economy can become a force for growth, job creation, and global recognition.
