Sola Benson 

Tinubu Unveils Reborn National Theatre as ‘Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts’ in Grand Independence Day Celebration

The spirit of Nigeria’s cultural renaissance shone brightly on Monday, October 1, 2025, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially reopened the refurbished National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos — now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts. The high-profile ceremony, held to coincide with the nation’s 65th Independence anniversary, marked a new chapter in the country’s creative and cultural history.

The President, accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, led an illustrious gathering of dignitaries from government, the private sector, and the arts community to the unveiling of the iconic edifice, long regarded as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s performing arts. The rechristening of the theatre in honour of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, officials said, was a symbolic recognition of his lifelong contribution to literature, theatre, and the broader creative enterprise.

The event was not without drama and spectacle. Guests were treated to a rich line-up of performances, culminating in a half-hour command presentation of Fela and the Kalakuta Queens — a celebrated musical directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters. The production, a vibrant blend of music, dance, and storytelling, enthralled the audience with its compelling portrayal of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and his famed Queens.

Austen-Peters, founder of Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions (BAP) and Terra Kulture Arena, described the moment as “deeply emotional and historic,” noting that the selection of her play for the theatre’s reopening underscored the growing recognition of Nigeria’s creative sector as a driver of cultural diplomacy and national pride.

“The story of Fela and his Kalakuta Queens is not only moving but powerfully symbolic of resilience, creativity, and freedom,” she said. “To have this performance chosen to relaunch the theatre — and on our nation’s 65th Independence Day — is a dream come true for all of us in the creative space.”

The musical, which traces Fela’s rise from a defiant social activist to a global music icon, also spotlights the women behind his success — the dancers and singers who became symbols of artistic devotion and African identity. Through their stories, the production explores themes of love, power, and gender, offering audiences a nuanced portrait of the late musician’s Kalakuta Republic.



Among the highlights of the evening were remarks by Central Bank Governor Yemi Cardoso, who joked that following Fela and the Kalakuta Queens was “a huge task, given the infectious energy and applause it drew,” and by President Tinubu himself, who commended the evening’s performances, saying, “I’m impressed, and I’ve enjoyed myself thoroughly.”

For Austen-Peters, the reopening of the iconic theatre — now boasting world-class facilities after years of renovation — signals a bright future for Nigeria’s creative economy. “This venue’s rebirth is a clear message that the arts are central to our national rebirth,” she added.

Fela and the Kalakuta Queens continues its remarkable global run, having toured South Africa, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. According to producer Joseph Umoibon, “It is a befitting play to reopen such an important national monument.” The production is also slated for another run at the Terra Kulture Arena in Lagos from December 26, 2025, to January 12, 2026, as part of the city’s “Detty December” celebrations.