Wole Soyinka Explains Why He Accepted National Theatre Renaming

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has spoken candidly about the reasons behind his acceptance of the decision to rename Nigeria’s National Theatre in Lagos as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.

Speaking at the unveiling, Soyinka admitted he had “mixed feelings” when first approached with the honour. He recalled his long history of criticizing what he described as the “personal appropriation of public monuments” by past leaders, many of whom, in his view, did not deserve to have their names emblazoned on national structures.

“Most times, everything is named after them, and I think just 25 percent truly deserve it,” he remarked.

Soyinka revealed that his initial reaction was to decline. Years earlier, he had even challenged government officials over such naming practices. But, on reflection, he said he reconsidered. “By the time I looked at the history of theatre in this country and thought of my predecessors, I just said someone has to carry the can. And if a group of bankers, using their resources, decide to honour me, what’s wrong with that?”

He also recalled his deep frustration with the state of the National Theatre before its recent renovation. The edifice, he said, was in such disrepair that it was unsafe for performers. At one point, he described the building as a “slum” and doubted it could ever be restored.

He admitted he once told Lagos officials that instead of inviting him to inspect it, they should “plant a bomb and blow it off.”

The turnaround of the complex, however, surprised him. Thanks to a ₦68 billion investment spearheaded by the Bankers’ Committee, the National Theatre has been transformed into a modern cultural hub. “Well, if eating one’s words produces a muscle like this, then it’s a very tasty set of words,” Soyinka said with humour, acknowledging that he was proved wrong.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially approved the renaming as part of celebrations marking Soyinka’s 90th birthday, describing the playwright and activist as a global icon of culture and creativity.

For Soyinka, while the naming still sits uneasily against his long-held principles, the revival of the theatre and its symbolic link to Nigeria’s creative heritage made him willing to embrace the honour.