I Say It Has To Be Wole Soyinka Center, They Corrected My English, But Culture And Rename It —Tinubu
By Erewunmi Peace
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially renamed the National Arts Theatre in Lagos as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, in honour of Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Tinubu described Soyinka as a national treasure whose contributions to literature, culture, and the global stage remain unmatched. He said the gesture was not only a tribute to Soyinka’s towering achievements but also a reminder of the power of art and culture in shaping Nigeria’s identity.
The theatre, which has undergone a major ₦68 billion renovation, will now serve as a hub for creativity, culture, and entertainment under its new name. Tinubu noted that the renamed centre would open fresh opportunities for artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs in the creative economy.
Professor Soyinka, the first African Nobel Laureate in Literature, has long been celebrated for his activism, writings, and unwavering advocacy for justice and freedom.
The renaming marks a historic moment, as the National Theatre—built in 1976 for FESTAC ’77—now carries the name of one of Africa’s greatest literary icons.
