President Bola Tinubu says renaming the renovated National Theatre after Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka was a fitting way to honour his legacy.
Tinubu described Soyinka as a man of many parts, whose works have permanently put Nigeria on the global stage in terms of the creative industry and human rights advocacy.
The president expressed his belief that the rebirth of the theatre will revive the promotion of arts, culture, and the creative economy in Nigeria.
In July 2024, Tinubu renamed the theatre the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts in honour of Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate.
Speaking at the event held in Lagos on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Tinubu said: “Uncle Wole Soyinka is one of the most talented and creative minds. I remember your contribution to our struggle, nation-building and freedom.
“You are one of the world’s greatest assets. It could not have been anyone else, and I knew you would not disobey this.”
He reiterated his call on Nigerians, both within and outside the country, to refrain from speaking ill of the country, as the nation is destined for greatness.
The president stated: “This is a country of very proud people. We know what we are. It is about us believing in ourselves. From our parents, we inherited a nation of great, confident, and dedicated people.
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“This country will succeed. Let us enjoy the glory. Lift Nigeria, believe in Nigeria. Put Nigeria first.”
Tinubu commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of the CBN, Yemi Cardoso, and the Bankers’ Committee, which contributed N68 billion to renovate the theatre, built in 1976.
Tinubu also called on Cardoso to institute an endowment fund for its maintenance.
President Tinubu urged the managers of the edifice to create jobs, prevent it from degenerating as it had in the past, and preserve it in honour of Soyinka’s legacy.
Speaking, Soyinka expressed his appreciation to the president and the CBN for reviving the theatre, saying he had never believed it could be salvaged, given the level of degeneration he had observed during his last visit.
He said he had reservations about accepting that the monument be named after him, given his known criticisms of renaming monuments after living leaders and important people.
He said Tinubu made it impossible for him to reject the honour.
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