The National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos roared back to life on October 1, 2025, with a spectacular performance of Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions’ acclaimed musical “Fela and the Kalakuta Queens” marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, led dignitaries from government and corporate sectors at the historic reopening of the renovated venue, now renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts. The Fela Kalakuta Queens musical served as the centerpiece entertainment for the landmark occasion.
The National Theatre underwent a four-year, $100 million renovation financed by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers’ Committee. The ambitious restoration represents one of the boldest private-sector interventions in Nigeria’s cultural infrastructure, breathing new life into the iconic 1977 landmark.
BAP’s musical tells the powerful story of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and the bold women who supported him as dancers, band members, wives, and political allies. With energetic Afrobeat performances and vibrant storytelling, the production showcased Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage on one of the nation’s most significant stages.
