The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has inspected the progress of work at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Creative Arts, previously known as the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu.
The center was renamed in July 2024 by President Bola Tinubu in honor of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.
During the visit, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his satisfaction with the renovations and improvements at the center.
He announced in a post on his official X account (formerly known as Twitter) that the facility would be opened to the public soon.
In an interview with journalists following the tour, Governor Sanwo-Olu, accompanied by state officials and stakeholders on the project, shared his excitement about the transformation the center has undergone over the past four years.
He highlighted the potential of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts to promote arts, tourism, and culture, as well as its capacity to host international conferences and world-class performances.
He stated, “I am truly excited at the work the Bankers Committee has been able to do. They have truly shown us that when we put our minds to things as a country and as a people, we can get the best out of ourselves.”
Reflecting on the center’s journey, he added, “When we all came here four or five years ago, we were discouraged and saddened by what we saw at one of our national treasures. But what has happened in the last four to five years, and with what we see today during our tour, we have brought back the old glory even in a bigger, better, and more transformative way. I commend all the professionals and companies that have put this together.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also emphasized the significance of the center as a venue for international audiences and business events, adding “I think it is going to be a place where international audiences will see that we are ready to take the world by storm in entertainment, tourism, creativity and, more importantly, business conferences and seminars that we all go to attend in other parts of the world,” he said.
Describing the center as a “one-stop shop,” he noted its world-class facilities, enhanced by the surrounding infrastructure, including the Blue Line train. He added that the reopening of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts is a collaborative achievement by the Lagos State Government and the Bankers Committee.
In his post on X, Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated, “Upon completion, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts will not only be for arts, tourism, and culture but will also provide a venue for the international community to convene for conferences and enjoy world-class performances.”
He further described the facility as a premier destination, “comparable to any world-class conference center, with a unique infusion of arts and culture.”