The National Theatre in Lagos State, once a beacon of Nigeria’s artistic prowess, is undergoing a significant transformation after decades of neglect, potentially revitalising the nation’s creative industries and cultural heritage.
Conceived in the 1970s as a cultural epicentre, the National Theatre was designed to showcase Africa’s rich storytelling traditions. Construction began under General Yakubu Gowon’s military regime in 1973 and was completed by General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1976. The imposing modernist dome, modelled after Bulgaria’s Palace of Culture and Sports, was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including a 5,000-seat auditorium, banquet halls, cinema halls, exhibition spaces, and an art gallery.
During its golden era, the National Theatre hosted the landmark FESTAC ’77, a festival celebrating Black and African arts and culture that attracted over 17,000 participants worldwide. The venue became a platform for renowned playwrights like Wole Soyinka and productions such as “Camwood on the Leaves” and “Isiburu.”
However, the theatre’s fortunes declined rapidly by the late 1980s. Economic downturns, shifting political priorities, and bureaucratic inertia led to chronic neglect. Maintenance was abandoned, resulting in leaking roofs, malfunctioning systems, and structural decay. Military regimes showed little interest in artistic expression beyond ceremonial performances, and funding for the arts dwindled dramatically. Management resorted to renting spaces for weddings and church services to generate income.
As live theatre lost relevance to Nollywood and digital platforms, performing opportunities diminished, causing many artists to seek opportunities abroad. Cultural tourism stagnated as Nigeria failed to capitalise on its creative industries, unlike destinations such as Broadway in New York and London’s West End, which generate billions annually.
In July 2021, the Bankers’ Committee and Central Bank of Nigeria launched an ambitious N65 billion restoration project to revive the National Theatre as part of broader efforts to unlock Nigeria’s creative economy. By September 2024, renovations were nearing completion, including refurbished auditoriums, exhibition halls, and improved facilities throughout the complex.
The renovation extends beyond physical restoration, with four creative hubs dedicated to fashion, music, film production, and information technology integrated into the 44-hectare site surrounding the main building. Industry experts estimate the creative sector’s value in the hundreds of billions of naira, with the potential to create hundreds of thousands of jobs, positioning it as a cornerstone for economic diversification beyond oil dependency.
Former University of Lagos Deputy Vice-Chancellor Duro Oni recently questioned whether this revival will be sustained or if history will repeat itself. Experts emphasise that physical restoration alone cannot secure the theatre’s future; sustainability requires strategic policy frameworks that prioritise cultural investment as an economic imperative.
Countries like India, South Korea, and Brazil have successfully leveraged their arts industries for national branding and global recognition. For Nigeria to follow suit, diversified funding models are essential, including balanced revenue streams from ticket sales, private partnerships, philanthropic support, grants, and endowments rather than relying solely on unpredictable government budgets.
The National Theatre’s revival represents an opportunity for Nigeria to reclaim its place as a cultural powerhouse by treating creativity as both heritage preservation and economic strategy. The success of this restoration will ultimately reflect the nation’s commitment to investing in its creative spirit and artistic renaissance.
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