Wole Soyinka Explains Why He Accepted National Arts Theatre Renaming in His Honour
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has shed light on why he accepted the decision to rename the iconic National Arts Theatre, Lagos, after him, despite his longstanding criticism of leaders who appropriate public monuments for personal glorification.
Speaking on Thursday at the reopening of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Soyinka admitted that the decision came with “mixed feelings,” given his history of challenging such practices.
“I have to stand up in public and watch my name being put up as yet another appropriator. It just didn’t seem very well for me,” he remarked.
From Criticism to Acceptance
Soyinka explained that he initially regarded the National Arts Theatre as irredeemable after years of neglect, but the recent turnaround achieved through the intervention of the Bankers’ Committee made him reconsider his stance.
According to the laureate, the scale of the renovation, which has transformed the landmark edifice, convinced him that accepting the honour was a worthy trade-off.
“I never believed this structure could be brought back to life. But if the monumental turnaround is the price of the renaming, then I am willing to eat my words,” he added.
Significance of the Renaming
The move to rename the theatre has drawn both praise and debate among Nigerians. While many view it as a well-deserved recognition of Soyinka’s contribution to literature, culture, and advocacy, others have questioned whether public monuments should bear the names of individuals.
Cultural analysts told Akahi News that the gesture is not just symbolic but also underscores a commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s creative sector, which has long called for modern infrastructure and government support.
A Legacy Beyond Literature
Professor Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel laureate in Literature, has for decades been at the forefront of cultural activism and intellectual engagement in Nigeria and beyond. The renaming of the National Theatre in his honour now ties his legacy more directly to the arts community and future generations of Nigerian creatives.
The rejuvenated complex, officials say, will serve as a hub for culture, theatre, and creative innovation, bearing Soyinka’s name as a lasting emblem of Nigerian excellence in the arts.
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