The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts (NANTAP) has condemned the continued closure of the National Theatre to artists and the general public, calling it a direct contradiction of its intended purpose as a hub for cultural expression.
NANTAP President, Adeniran Makinde, in a statement titled “The National Theatre and the Cultural Strangulation of Nigeria’s Creative Sector,” emphasized that the iconic facility, established in 1976, was designed to celebrate and preserve Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage. However, its prolonged closure under the Bankers’ Committee’s renovation initiative has instead resulted in an artistic drought, depriving creatives of a crucial performance space.
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Makinde criticized the exclusivity of the theatre’s use, stating that the venue, which was meant to nurture and promote local talent, has become inaccessible to the very people it was built for. He described this as an insult to Nigeria’s creative sector, which has long suffered from governmental neglect.
He warned that the continued shutdown of the National Theatre has led to dwindling opportunities for artists, job losses in the creative sector, and a weakening of Nigeria’s cultural identity. According to him, without access to a proper national stage, theatre productions, concerts, and exhibitions have been severely hindered. He further noted that international stakeholders are beginning to see Nigeria as a nation that undervalues its own artistic heritage, discouraging investment and global collaborations.
To reverse this trend, Makinde called on the government and the Bankers’ Committee to take immediate action by reopening the theatre, establishing an independent cultural management body, formulating a clear artistic policy, and investing in additional creative spaces.
“A National Theatre that is closed to its own people is a contradiction,” he stated. “If Nigeria is truly committed to building a thriving creative economy, then access, inclusivity, and artistic expression must be prioritized.”
