Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the unveiling of the renovated National Arts Theatre—now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts—as a rebirth of a national icon and a fresh opportunity to expand Nigeria's creative economy.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and other dignitaries, Sanwo-Olu said the restoration goes beyond infrastructure renewal. According to him, it represents "the heartbeat of the nation's creative soul," one that can generate jobs, empower small businesses and position Lagos as Africa's cultural capital.
The governor recalled the historic FESTAC '77, which hosted global black and African voices at the same venue nearly five decades ago. He stressed that, just like then, the restored centre would serve as a catalyst for uniting cultures, promoting tourism, and creating markets for local entrepreneurs in fashion, film, music, food and visual arts.
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Sanwo-Olu highlighted Lagos State's role in the project, including contributing additional land for creative clusters and linking the complex to the Blue Line rail network. He said the move signals a bigger vision—building a world-class creative hub that will unlock opportunities for SMEs and young entrepreneurs across the cultural and entertainment value chain.
Paying tribute to Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, in whose honour the centre was renamed, the governor said the facility would inspire the next generation of Nigerian writers, performers, and innovators.
"With this commissioning, we are not just opening a building but laying a foundation for endless possibilities in the creative sector," Sanwo-Olu said, assuring that Lagos is ready to become Africa's modern cultural mega-city.
