President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the renaming of the National Arts Theatre in Lagos as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, in honour of Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature.

The announcement came yesterday during Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations, where the President hailed the restoration of the once-neglected facility, originally built for FESTAC ’77.

Tinubu acknowledged the vision of his predecessor, the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and the commitment of the Bankers’ Committee and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for ensuring the successful rebirth of the historic centre.

“By renaming it the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, we honour Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature, whose fearless voice and lifelong service to justice and freedom inspire us all,” Tinubu said.

He stressed that the centre must never again fall into decay, noting that it will serve as a hub for nurturing talent, promoting free expression, and powering Nigeria’s creative economy for future generations.

The President thanked the Bankers’ Committee for partnering with government on the project and paid tribute to Professor Soyinka, describing him as a symbol of Nigeria’s cultural legacy.