Hope rises for creative industry as National Theatre rebounds

When the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon envisioned and started construction for the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, in the early 70s, they had in mind a one-stop-shop for the arts, a grooming centre for creative people and a national pride for the country.

That dream was realized in 1976 when the Olusegun Obasanjo administration completed the national edifice.

With completion, in January 1977, hosted its major and largest event ever; the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture tagged FESTAC 77.

The theatre became more vibrant after FESTAC 77, and hosted more events in the following years, until in the last decade, when it became a shadow of itself.

Respite came in July 2021, following approval by the Federal Government and the subsequent handover of the national edifice to the Bankers’ Committee.

The handover resulted in an extensive renovation work sponsored by the Bankers’ Committee, which commenced shortly and has not ceased till date.

Today, the national edifice is wearing a new look. Following the commendable development, on Tuesday, the Committee organised a media parley and tour of the new-look National Theatre complex.

The tour exposed the media to the huge funds expensed so far by the Bankers’ Committee, which is on the verge of completing the renovation and upgrading of facilities at the National Theatre.

Of course, the positive development could be best described as a ‘restoration of national pride’.

Most importantly, by restoring the glory of an iconic asset, the Bankers’ Committee aims to unlock opportunities for the youth in the creative sector, leading to job creation, income generation, and foreign exchange generation, thereby developing a creative and entertainment centre with much-needed community spaces for Nigerians.

The facilities were upgraded to match the best standards of theatre and performance in the world. The entire Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system was replaced, fire safety standards, upgraded power, water supply, and sewage systems were all replaced. Upgrade of interior design with the installations of Audio Video Lighting (AVL), world stage engineering system, 11 lifts, solar power, new furniture for spaces and restoration of artworks including those on the internal wall panels and the building façade.

The renovation works cover different spaces, including the 4,000-seater main bowl, over 3,000-seater banquet hall, 2-nos. exhibition halls, 3-nos. cinemas, VIP spaces, actors’ changing rooms, industrial kitchen, over 300 new toilet cubicles, clinic, fire station, lobbies within the four entrances and extensive roof repairs.

Speaking on the Bankers’ Committee’s restoration of the National Theatre, Segun Agbaje, group chief executive officer, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, said, “I don’t think there are many countries in Africa that have the talent that we have in entertainment and the arts. All you can do when you have talented people is to give them a platform to showcase their best. We will try to give a platform, where Nigerians who are in my opinion the best, have a chance to show the world that they are the best.”

To ensure stable electricity supply, the new-look theatre has three sources of power; Eko Power Distribution Company, generating sets, and solar offering 1.65 megawatt and panels designed to blend with the environment.

The theatre also has world-class security facilities, including CCTV, the Banker’s Committee noted.

It would be recalled that the first phase of the rehabilitation of the National Arts was completed in 2022, which enabled the theatre to host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and Federal Government of Nigeria conference in November, hosted by Lai Mohammed, the then Minister of Information and Culture.