Nigeria’s National Theatre in Lagos will be rechristened as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, announced President Bola Tinubu in recognition of Professor Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday on July 13, 2024.

Professor Soyinka, a towering figure in global literature, is celebrated not only for his prowess as a playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, actor, singer, composer, and documentarian but also for his unwavering advocacy for good governance and social justice. He made history in 1986 as the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature and has since garnered numerous accolades, including the Benson Medal from the Royal Society of Literature and the Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award.

President Tinubu, in a statement released by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, lauded Professor Soyinka as an intellectual paragon whose commitment to enlightenment and resistance against injustice remains unparalleled. He hailed Soyinka as a custodian of Nigeria’s history and a beacon of courage, particularly noting his pivotal role in championing democracy and combating corruption over decades.

“Our paths intersected during the struggle for democratic governance in Nigeria following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election,” President Tinubu recounted. “Facing a trial and a death sentence in absentia under the military regime, Professor Soyinka mobilized international opposition through organizations like NALICON and NADECO. His global stature galvanized our efforts to uphold June 12 and restore democracy in Nigeria.”

Reflecting on Soyinka’s enduring influence, President Tinubu joined global voices in celebrating the profound impact of his literary works on successive generations of writers, scholars, and activists. He praised Soyinka for igniting a spirit of resistance against military dictatorships in Nigeria and beyond.

“It is with great pleasure that I announce the Federal Government’s decision to rename the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, in honor of Professor Wole Soyinka,” President Tinubu declared. “The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts will stand as a testament to his legacy and enduring contribution to our nation’s cultural richness.”

President Tinubu concluded by extending heartfelt wishes to Professor Soyinka for continued health and creative fulfillment, underscoring his status as a global luminary whose influence transcends borders and inspires positive change.

The renaming of the National Theatre underscores Nigeria’s recognition of Professor Wole Soyinka’s unparalleled contributions to literature, culture, and the pursuit of social justice, affirming his legacy as a pivotal figure in the nation’s history and global intellectual discourse.