On the Lagos-based National Arts Theatre website, right now, an opening on its events page has an obsolete feel. The administrator wanted it to known that the centre’s Marquée was open for use although the main edifice is undergoing a major revamp. This appears to be old messaging because a tour to the now renovated iconic building by the Bankers’ Committee on Thursday 6 March 2025 revived memories of the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ‘77) 48 years ago – the way it brought the whole world to Africa’s largest city.

It was the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, flanked by members of the Committee in a group photograph that was doing the reminiscing. It was back from his early life as a youngster in the megacity when the glory of Nigeria’s creativity stood so bright. So now, it is time to return this subdued greatness.

The theatre, renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts on 12 July 2024 by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, had been built a year before the FESTAC ’77 festival for the specific purpose of staging participants’ artistic flares in a 5,000-capacity performance and event hall.

What is certain is that after several decades of minimal use,  the facility feels ready to launch into a new age of deeply arousing appreciation for art, which will be driven by creatives, no doubt.

ALSO READ: Seun Kuti to play father, Fela in “77: The FESTAC Conspiracy”

Restoring greatness to the National Theatre started with an effort back in July 2021 after federal officials agreed to allow control of the culture-enriching establishment to pass on to the Bankers’ Committee, which possesses just the right sort of capacity to restore a national monument of historical significance.

What is creativity worth?

Mr. Cardoso, close to two years later from the handover, had been appointed to head the central bank, meaning the Committee as well, hence the reason reporters captured vital details of a briefing he led, estimating that the creative sector can potentially generate about $25bn in revenue for Nigeria.

There is already evidence on display to make such positive projections because in 2023, motion picture and music recording accounted for roughly ₦154 billion.

Having a world-class staging area erected is expected to help arrive at much more attractive figures and outcomes shortly. Yesterday, during the CBN-headed tour to the theatre, it was to emphasise this, but first, to the past.

So, for me, as a Lagosian, I grew up here, says the CBN governor on Thursday. I saw this in 1977 when we had FESTAC ‘77 and subsequently sub times.

From that time, we used to come here to have different events and activities, and we’re very proud of what we had as Lagosians. Sadly, years later, due to [a] lack of maintenance and a whole host of things, the edifice, which was iconic at the time, unfortunately fell into a state of disrepair and then abandonment.

So, to have been able to be alive today, to see this massive transformation to a world-class structure, is again a testimony to the Nigerian spirit.

What tech needed upgrades?

The building engineers who made necessary new tweaks at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts when work there started in 2021 had it in mind to match it with the best standards of performance seen in the most advanced places in the world.

It seemed the vision was for Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, to become part of this exclusive list.

The upgrading that was done considered the replacement of the entire Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, advancing fire safety standards, power, replacement of the water supply and sewage systems.

Also added were touches to interior design with the installations of Audio Video Lighting (AVL), world stage engineering system, 17 passenger lifts, solar power, new furniture for spaces and restoration of artworks, including those on the internal wall panels and the building façade.

External works supporting the National Theatre were also carried out in the refurbishment of the three entrance gatehouses, construction of four themed landscapes, car park block (250 cars), the ring road, and installation of external street lighting and CCTV cameras.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.