Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has publicly acknowledged his initial skepticism over the revamp of the National Arts Theatre, even as he accepted the honour of having the iconic monument renamed after him.
Speaking at the grand reopening of the newly christened Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Iganmu, Lagos, the playwright confessed to being won over by the scale and quality of the transformation led by the Bankers’ Committee, which invested ₦68 billion into the project.
“I have to eat my words,” Soyinka admitted. “I once thought this structure was irredeemable, but what I see today is a monumental turnaround. They made me eat my words — and I accept.”
Soyinka, known for his long-standing opposition to the appropriation of public monuments by political figures, said he accepted the honour “with mixed feelings”, adding, “It just didn’t sit well with me at first — having my name on a national monument felt like I was becoming yet another appropriator.”
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He recounted the once-deplorable state of the theatre, including a near-electrocution incident involving two of his actors due to waterlogged interiors and exposed wires. He also recalled the original architectural vision of the building — nicknamed the “General’s Hat” — and lamented its lack of African design elements.
Despite these concerns, Soyinka praised the transformation as a milestone in Nigeria’s cultural evolution.
“This building now gives Nigerians the chance to enjoy African theatre on home soil, rather than having to go abroad,” he said.
In his remarks at the event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the creation of a National Theatre Endowment Fund, to be coordinated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to ensure the sustainable maintenance of the edifice.
“There is no controversy in the renaming,” Tinubu declared. “Prof. Wole Soyinka is one of the greatest assets of the world. This honour could not have gone to anyone more deserving.”
He urged Nigerians to remain optimistic about the country’s future, encouraging the youth to “renew their hope in Nigeria” and contribute to its growth.
Dignitaries present at the ceremony included First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi, and Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.
