Tinubu honours Wole Soyinka, renames National Theatre in Lagos after him

In a statement appreciating the Nobel Laureate, he commended him for the active role he played in the fight against injustice during the reign of military dictators in Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has renamed the National Theatre at Iganmu, Lagos in honour of Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

In a statement released on Friday, the president joined the world to celebrate the iconic professor on his 90th birthday and praised his immense contributions to literature and society. In light of this, Tinubu annouced that the National Theatre would be renamed “The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts” in his honour.

Soyinka, who turns 90 on July 13th, 2024, is celebrated as a playright,novelist, poet, essayist, and advocate for good governance.

In 1986, he became the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature and has received numerous other prestigious awards, including the Royal Society of Literature, the Europe Theatre Prize, and the Benson Medal.

He also played a vital role during the fight for democracy in Nigeria following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections. This and many more were highlighted by President Tinubu in his tribute, describing Soyinka as one of the finest minds of his generation.

“Today, I join the world to celebrate his profound influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists who have been inspired by his work. I celebrate him for giving us the spark to fight and confront military dictators in our country.

“I am, accordingly, delighted to have the honour to announce the decision of the Federal Government to rename the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, as The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts,” Tinubu stated.