Minister: National Theatre renovation will preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage, boost economy

Hannatu Musawa, minister of art, culture, and the creative economy, says the renovation of the National Theatre would preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage and boost economic growth.

In a statement on Monday, Musawa said the renovation is a “gift to the nation” and a source of national pride.

She said the collaboration between the ministry and the bankers’ committee sets an example for future public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives.

The federal government had, on July 12, 2020, handed over the National Theatre to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the bankers’ committee for renovation.

On 29 August, the bankers’ committee said the renovation and restoration of the facility was close to completion.

Speaking on the project, Musawa said the renovation will revitalise a historic venue generate jobs, support local artists, and enhance the community.

“The successful renovation of the National Theatre marks a major milestone in our efforts to preserve important cultural assets and create new opportunities within the creative industry,” she said.

Musawa also said the partnership with the bankers’ committee aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda and highlights the importance of private-public collaborations in advancing national development, especially in the cultural sector.

“We look forward to deepening this partnership and replicating it with other private institutions to continue advancing Nigeria’s creative economy,” she added.

The minister said the next steps include delivering the state-of-the-art facility, introducing dynamic programming, launching training and community initiatives.

Musawa said the theatre will serve as a platform for both established and emerging talents, reiterating the ministry’s commitment to developing innovative programmes that reflect Nigeria’s diverse creative landscape and caters to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

She also said new training programmes and community projects have been introduced to nurture future leaders of the arts and culture.

Musawa thanked the partners, stakeholders, and broader community for their support, adding that “the future of Nigeria’s creative sector is bright, and we are proud to move forward together.”

On July 12, Tinubu announced the renaming of the National Theatre’s cultural hub as the Wole Soyinka centre for culture and the creative arts.