More than a year after the Federal Government completed major renovations on the iconic National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, the cultural landmark remains under lock and key. Stakeholders in Nigeria’s creative and performing arts industry are increasingly concerned about the continued delay in reopening, which officials say now hinges on a formal directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Originally built in 1976 to host the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77), the National Theatre has long stood as a symbol of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. However, years of underfunding, structural decay, and poor management led to its deterioration—until a revitalization project began under the Buhari administration.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers’ Committee spearheaded the ₦21 billion rehabilitation project, with technical support from the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Information and Culture. The upgrade included structural reinforcement, a redesigned entrance, revamped seating, new air conditioning systems, digital acoustics, and improved fire safety measures.
The renovation of the main theatre halls, entrance lobbies, and supporting infrastructure was declared complete in 2024. In February 2025, a technical team from the Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy reportedly gave the green light for commissioning. However, the final public unveiling is still on hold.
“The theatre is fully ready. We are only waiting for Mr. President’s signal to proceed with reopening ceremonies,” said a senior official from the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) who spoke under anonymity.
The Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, recently confirmed during an arts roundtable in Abuja that “all technical work is done. What remains is a ceremonial flag-off and operational handover as directed by the Presidency.”
With the National Theatre remaining idle, several performing arts groups, film collectives, and theatre troupes say they are missing out on a critical public venue. “For a facility that was meant to boost the creative economy, the silence is deafening,” said veteran stage director Kola Adeoti.
The theatre was expected to become the operational hub of the National Theatre Creative City—a wider initiative involving four creative hubs focused on fashion, film, IT, and music. The hubs, still under construction, aim to create over 1 million jobs and inject ₦7 trillion into Nigeria’s GDP by 2030.
Until the theatre reopens, however, none of these ecosystem goals can fully take shape. Critics also argue that the delay is undermining Nigeria’s soft-power diplomacy and readiness to host international cultural events.
While the Presidency has yet to comment directly on the matter, insiders suggest the delay may be tied to political timing, or to coordination challenges between the Ministry of Culture and the President’s office. Some reports hint at a pending official visit or a broader launch event encompassing the entire National Theatre Creative City.
With Nigeria now pursuing greater global visibility in the creative sector—through partnerships with Brazil, UNESCO, and the African Union—reopening the National Theatre is seen as both symbolic and strategic.
For now, the majestic National Theatre stands ready—but silent. As the cultural heartbeat of Nigeria awaits presidential action, artists and audiences alike are hopeful that the iconic landmark will soon reopen and reclaim its place at the center of Nigeria’s creative revival.