Wole Soyinka says he reluctantly accepted the renaming of the National Theatre after him despite past criticism of such honors.
He admitted nostalgia and the building’s successful transformation convinced him to embrace the tribute.
SEE ALSO: Tinubu Names National Theatre After Wole Soyinka
Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has explained why he agreed to have the National Theatre in Lagos renamed after him, despite his long-held criticism of naming public monuments after individuals.
President Bola Tinubu recently approved that the facility, located in Iganmu, be renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
Speaking at the reopening and rededication of the refurbished building, Soyinka admitted he had always opposed what he once described as the “appropriation” of national monuments by individuals. He recalled feeling uneasy watching his own name placed on the structure, given his past objections.
According to him, he accepted the honor reluctantly, acknowledging that while he has often argued that only a fraction of public monuments in Nigeria are truly deserving of their namesakes, he ultimately decided “someone had to take up the responsibility” of preserving the theatre’s cultural legacy.
Soyinka reflected on the history of the building, noting its construction during the military era and its iconic role in FESTAC ’77. He said nostalgia played a role in his acceptance, recalling how he once described the deteriorated state of the theatre as beyond repair, even likening it to a slum.
He remembered advising Lagos officials during the state’s 50th anniversary not to waste time rehabilitating the structure, joking that it would be better to “blow it up” because of how badly it had decayed.
The playwright praised the successful transformation of the building, saying the quality of the renovation made it easier for him to “swallow his past words.” He added that if retracting his criticism could produce such a result, then it was a worthwhile reversal.
