The Bankers’ Committee has completed the renovation and upgrading of the National Theatre in Lagos, a significant cultural landmark. The extensive project, which began in July 2021 with federal government approval, included refurbishing the 4,000-seater main bowl, banquet hall, exhibition halls, cinemas, VIP spaces, and other facilities. Upgrades also involved modernizing the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fire safety, power systems, and the installation of advanced audio-video lighting systems.

The renovation aimed to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s creative sector and included external enhancements like refurbished entrance gatehouses, themed landscapes, a 250-car park, and security upgrades. Sterling Bank Group’s CEO, Abubakar Suleiman, highlighted the project as a testament to the power of patriotism and private sector collaboration. The renovated theatre, soon to be named the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, is expected to serve as a hub for arts, culture, tourism, and international conferences.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Lotus Bank Ltd’s MD, Kafilat Araoye, praised the project as a restoration of national culture and heritage. The National Theatre, originally built in 1976, was first completed to host the FESTAC 77 cultural festival.