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Restoration Of An Edifice
On October 5, 2019, the late President, Muhammadu Buhari, approved the reconstruction of the National Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos, into a world-class convention centre for the development of the creative sector in diverse areas, including entertainment, movies, music, fashion, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
According to the Bankers’ Committee, a portion of the site was earmarked for the construction of the “Signature Cluster”, which consists of one building each for Fashion, Music, Film and IT.
The committee said each structure was uniquely designed to function independently, yet providing the opportunity for extensive collaborations between the different creative communities.
As the initial investment in the creative industry, the government expects to create at least 1 million jobs when the project begins operations.
After 20 years of battle with stakeholders in the creative economy, the Federal Government handed over the theatre complex, alongside the 44 acres of barely developed land, to the Bankers’ Committee in July 2020 for renovation and recreation of the complex into a job and wealth creation venture for the creative industry and related industries.
The then Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, assured the public of the sincerity of purpose of the Bankers’ Committee and the CBN on delivering, and that work would commence in early 2021, completed and commissioned in November 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The renovation of the national landmark commenced in July 2021, following approval by the Federal Government and the subsequent handover of the national edifice to the Bankers’ Committee, and was completed in August 2024. It was, however, not complete till 2023 when Buhari left office.
However, prior to the completion in August 2024, the national edifice was renamed Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The President renamed the facility in a birthday message to the Nobel laureate who turned 90 on July 13, 2024.
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, the Bankers’ Committee announced the completion of the restoration and upgrading of facilities at the National Theatre. The renovation works covered different spaces, including the 5,000-seater main bowl, which is now 4600, over 3,000-seater banquet hall, two exhibition halls, three cinema halls, VIP spaces, actors’ changing rooms, industrial kitchen, over 300 new toilet cubicles, clinic, fire station, lobbies within the four National Theatre entrances and extensive roof repairs.
The facilities were upgraded to match with the best standards of theatre and performance in the world. The upgrading includes the replacement of the entire Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, upgrade of the fire safety standards, power, replacement of the water supply and sewage systems, upgrading of interior design with the installations of Audio Video Lighting (AVL), world stage engineering system, 17 passenger lifts, solar power, new furniture for spaces and restoration of artworks including those on the internal wall panels and the building façade.
External works supporting the National Theatre were also carried out in the refurbishment of the three entrance gatehouses, constructions of four themed landscapes, car park block (250 cars), the ring road, and installation of external street lightings and CCTV cameras.
Speaking during a tour of the monument, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank Group representing Bankers’ Committee, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, disclosed, “when we approached government for this opportunity, we had no idea how we were going to make money. It wasn’t about making money. This was about a national monument that had been left abandoned, and we thought anything and everything that needed to be done should be done to restore this to its glory.
“We were shocked at the scale of the work that needed to be done, but we were also impressed by the possibility that it represented. As you’ve seen, this is one of the largest-scale projects of this type anywhere on the continent. The standard to which it has been restored is global,” he added. “The standard to which this edifice has been restored is world class.”
For him, the renovation of National Theatre by the Bankers’ Committee showcases what is possible with the power of patriotism and collective responsibility on the part of the private sector in partnering with the Federal and Lagos State governments, “to reignite hope and revive some of our national monuments and assets.”
Endowment Fund For Maintenance, Others
The gap, which many felt could be a threat to the facility, was maintenance. However, President Tinubu, waiting for the last minute to serve the best, called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to establish an endowment fund.
The President said he would personally contribute to the proposed fund, which is aimed at supporting long-term growth and sustainability in Nigeria’s creative industry.
Already, the theatre is now into a Public-Private Partnership with the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the Bankers Committee through the SANEF Creatives Limited. The parties have agreed to form a joint venture company, Theatre Partners Limited, which will manage the complex.
Members of the Board of Directors include, Disun Holloway, Chairman; Mrs Adetola Akerele, Haruna Musa, Mrs Ayona Aguele-Trimnell, Audu Maikori, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe and Dr Osahon Okunbo.