Why I Accepted the Renaming of the National Theatre After Me, by Wole Soyinka

Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate and playwright, has shared his reasons for accepting the decision to rename the National Arts Theatre, Lagos, after him.
He made the remarks during the reopening of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, where he reflected on the honour and the transformation of the iconic building.
The National Arts Theatre, located in Iganmu, Lagos, has long been seen as a central hub for Nigeria’s cultural and artistic expression.
Over the years, however, the structure fell into disrepair, raising doubts about whether it could ever be restored to its former glory.
Soyinka admitted that he was among those who had written off the building, believing it had reached a state beyond redemption.
He explained that the recent renovation carried out by the Bankers’ Committee changed his perception.
According to him, the successful turnaround of the theatre demonstrated that even a structure once considered irredeemable could be revived with the right commitment and investment.
This development, he said, played a key role in his decision to accept the renaming.
Despite accepting the honour, Soyinka expressed that he did so with mixed emotions.
He recalled how he had often criticised leaders who attached their names to public monuments, sometimes without a genuine contribution.
For him, being on the receiving end of such recognition created a personal conflict, as it appeared to contradict the stance he had always maintained.
He noted that the situation required him to make peace with the irony. To him, the rebirth of the theatre was significant enough to warrant putting aside his earlier reservations.
The restoration had given the building new life and preserved an important part of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, which justified the recognition in his name.
The playwright acknowledged that accepting the honour meant he had to revisit his past words.
He explained that if the price of such a monumental transformation was having his name attached to the edifice, then it was a price worth paying.
In his view, the theatre’s revival symbolised more than just renovation; it represented a renewed commitment to creativity and the arts.
The reopening of the theatre under its new identity marked an important moment for Nigerian culture.
With Soyinka’s name now tied to the landmark, the building stands as both a celebration of his global contributions to literature and a testament to the enduring value of art in national life.
He said: “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.