Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, rebranded as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, will be ready for commissioning in October 2024. The governor made this announcement on August 11 during a recent inspection of the facility in Ikeja, Lagos. Over four years ago, the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Bankers Committee and stakeholders in the creative sector, embarked on revitalizing the structure.
In July 2024, Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, renamed the center after Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka to mark his 90th birthday. The 7-floor state-of-the-art complex is designed to nurture and showcase Nigerian talent in various artistic fields. It features multiple spaces for performances, exhibitions, and workshops, including the Main Hall (5,000 seats), two cinema halls (each 700 seats), conference/banquet hall (1,500 seats), two Main exhibition halls (each 1,200 seats), the Press conference hall (300 seats), the V.I.P Lounge (300 seats), an art gallery, Roof Garden, and a library dedicated to African literature and culture.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the center's importance in preserving and promoting Nigerian cultural heritage. He stated that the facility would serve as a hub for creative expression and cultural exchange, attracting both local and international artists and audiences.
The project is part of Lagos State's broader initiative to boost its creative economy and position the city as a global cultural destination. The governor expressed satisfaction with the progress of the construction, noting that the center would be a fitting tribute to Wole Soyinka's contributions to literature and the arts.
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