Renaming of National Theatre to honor Wole Soyinka on His 90th Birthday

President Bola Tinubu has announced the decision to rename the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, in honor of literary icon Professor Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka, commonly known as Wole Soyinka, on the occasion of his 90th birthday on July 13, 2024.

Professor Soyinka, a distinguished playwright, novelist, poet, and Nobel Prize laureate, is celebrated globally for his contributions to literature and advocacy for good governance and social justice.

Among the many prestigious awards he has received are the Benson Medal, Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award, Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, and Europe Theatre Prize.

President Tinubu lauded Professor Soyinka as a leading intellectual of his generation, unwavering in his commitment to enlightenment and justice, and praised his long-standing efforts in shaping Nigeria’s future through his activism and championing of democracy.

The President commended Professor Soyinka for his pivotal role in advocating for democracy during the tumultuous period following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, highlighting the global impact of his activism and influence on writers, scholars, and activists.

President Tinubu expressed delight in renaming the National Theatre as The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, recognizing Soyinka’s enduring legacy and his significant contributions to the arts and culture.

He extended well wishes to Professor Soyinka on his milestone birthday, hailing him as a beacon of change and a symbol of resistance against oppression and corruption.