Metro
Access Bank and Rebirth of the National Theatre: Revitalising Nigeria’s Cultural Future
When the National Theatre Lagos first opened ahead of FESTAC ’77, an architectural marvel, a symbol of the cultural soul of a nation ready to introduce its artistic brilliance to the world. Modelled after the Varna Palace of Culture and Sports in Bulgaria and constructed between 1973 and 1976, the National Theatre was designed as an emblem of Nigeria’s ambition to be Africa’s cultural capital. Its 5,000-seat main hall, festival arena, exhibition spaces, and state-of-the-art acoustics made it one of the most sophisticated performance complexes on the continent.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Theatre became home to Nigeria’s most iconic productions, from Hubert Ogunde’s epic plays to international dance festivals, orchestral performances, film premieres, and global conferences. It was a beacon for African creativity, a place where culture, identity, music, and storytelling came alive. But by the early 2000s, the Theatre, though heavy with cultural memory, had fallen into disrepair. Years of inadequate maintenance, stalled concession agreements, and structural depreciation left the building struggling to meet modern technical and creative demands. The symbol of national pride had become a shadow of its past promise.
Recognising the scale of cultural loss and the opportunity embedded within it, the Bankers’ Committee, with Access Bank playing a pivotal role, initiated the largest cultural infrastructure revitalisation project in contemporary Nigeria. The decision was both strategic and patriotic: Nigeria’s creative industry, now contributing significantly to GDP through film, fashion, music, design, cultural tourism, and digital content, urgently needed a modern, centralised hub that could support global-standard production and creative entrepreneurship. Reviving the National Theatre would not only restore a national icon but also stimulate job creation, attract international collaborations, and reposition Lagos as a premier African creative economy hub.
The renewal of the National Theatre is therefore more than a restoration project; it is a necessary economic intervention, a cultural renaissance, and a visionary step toward building a more inclusive and future-ready Nigeria. And for Access Bank, supporting this transformation is a natural continuation of a long, deliberate commitment to art, culture, and creative empowerment.
Access Bank’s Legacy of Championing the Creative Economy
Well before Nigeria’s creative industry gained global recognition, Access Bank had positioned itself as a cultural investor and ecosystem builder. For over a decade, the Bank has supported transformational initiatives across music, visual arts, fashion, film, sustainability, and youth development.
Access Bank has helped spotlight emerging and established African artists on a global stage through partnerships and collaborations with platforms like ART X. The annual fair, now one of Africa’s most influential contemporary art events, has benefitted immensely from the Bank’s commitment to nurturing young talent, commissioning bold projects, and providing a meeting point for creators, collectors, and global art enthusiasts.
In film and entertainment, Access Bank has backed festivals, documentaries, youth-focused storytelling, and creative incubators, recognising that Nigeria’s cultural exports are among its most powerful global assets. Across literature, community theatre, design, and public art, the Access brand remains synonymous with innovation, creativity, and cultural elevation. The revival of the National Theatre is thus an extension of this commitment.
A Cultural Renaissance Rooted in National Development
The National Theatre project is designed as a two-phase undertaking. Phase One, already significantly advanced, focuses on restoring the original theatre structure. This includes upgrading the main stage, cinema halls, exhibition spaces, lighting systems, acoustics, seating, ventilation, and accessibility infrastructure. The goal is to return the iconic building to world-class functionality while preserving its historic architecture.
Phase Two introduces a modern Creative Industries Park, a multi-purpose development designed to house film production studios, music recording labs, fashion houses, IT and gaming centers, photography studios, coworking spaces, and training academies. This innovation hub is expected to host thousands of young creators annually, enabling them to produce, learn, collaborate, and scale ideas into globally competitive businesses.
With Access Bank’s involvement through the Bankers’ Committee, the project has attracted international partnerships, institutional investors, technical specialists, and creative collaborators. It is poised to become one of the most significant cultural and economic catalysts in West Africa.
In a world where creative exports have become a major source of national influence, from Nollywood films to Afrobeats, digital arts to global fashion, infrastructure is destiny. Nigeria’s young creators generate some of the world’s most consumed cultural content, yet the ecosystem has lacked the physical and institutional support systems needed to harness that potential fully.
The revitalised National Theatre is therefore a launchpad for Nigeria’s next creative era.
With Access Bank’s long-standing commitment to empowering Africa’s creative industries, the revival blends heritage with innovation, history with ambition, and art with economic development.
From art fairs to creative hubs, sustainability initiatives to youth empowerment, Access Bank continues to champion platforms that inspire, educate, and elevate communities across the country.
By supporting the transformation of the National Theatre, the Bank has once again placed itself at the heart of Nigeria’s cultural renewal, bridging past and future, preserving heritage, and building an ecosystem where creativity can thrive without limits.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has increased the gantry price of petrol and diesel, further tightening pressure on consumers and businesses across Nigeria. This is however, in response to the rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their ripple effects on global energy markets.
A top official at the refinery, who confirmed the development to our correspondent on Tuesday night, said the facility adjusted its pricing in response to prevailing international crude oil benchmarks and market realities.
The new pricing template shows that petrol rose by N75 per litre to N1,275, representing an increase of about 5.02 per cent, while diesel jumped by N200 per litre to N1,950.
This marks a sharp increase from last month’s prices of N1,200 per litre for petrol and N1,750 for diesel, signalling that diesel is now on track to breach the N2,000 per litre mark at the pump, further intensifying cost pressures across the economy.
“The adjustment is in line with global market trends. You are aware of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and how they have impacted crude oil prices. These are external factors that directly influence refined product pricing,” the official, who spoke in confidence due to the lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, stated.
He added, “Petrol has been reviewed upward by N75 to N1,275 per litre, which is about a five per cent increase, while diesel has increased more significantly by N200 to N1,950 per litre. These changes reflect the realities of the international market.”
Market data from Petroleumprice.ng corroborated the development, indicating that the latest petrol price reflects a 5.02 per cent increase at the gantry level.
The development comes at a time when stakeholders had hoped that increased local refining capacity would help stabilise domestic fuel prices. However, analysts say Nigeria remains exposed to global oil price volatility due to its reliance on international crude benchmarks for pricing.
The latest hike could trigger a fresh wave of increases in pump prices nationwide, with marketers expected to pass on the additional cost to consumers in the coming days.
Global oil markets have remained volatile in recent weeks due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, a region that accounts for a significant share of the world’s crude oil supply. Any disruption or perceived risk to supply routes often leads to price spikes, which in turn affect refined petroleum products globally.
Nigeria, despite being an oil-producing country, operates a deregulated downstream sector where fuel prices are largely determined by market forces. This means that local prices are influenced by international crude prices, exchange rates, logistics costs, and refinery operations.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest, was expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel and help stabilise prices. However, experts note that as long as crude oil pricing remains tied to global benchmarks, domestic fuel prices will continue to fluctuate in response to international developments.
The latest increase also comes amid concerns over affordability, with consumers already grappling with high energy and transportation costs. A sustained price increase could worsen inflationary pressures and slow economic recovery.
A windstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall on Tuesday damaged parts of the newly built Kugbo Bus Terminal in Nyanya, Abuja, raising concern among residents and commuters in the area.
A statement by Lere Olayinka, spokesperson for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said the storm, which hit in the afternoon, also affected nearby infrastructure, including the Nyanya pedestrian bridge and several surrounding buildings.
Despite the visible damage, authorities confirmed that no casualties or property losses were reported.
“From preliminary reports, no one was injured, and no vehicle was damaged,” the statement noted.
In response to the incident, the statement said Wike had ordered immediate measures to ensure safety and restore order in the affected area.
“To prevent a breakdown of law and order, as well as ensure the free flow of traffic, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed that security personnel be deployed to the scene, while immediate action will be taken to repair the damages caused by the windstorm,” the statement added.
The incident comes amid growing public concern over delays in the commencement of operations at key bus terminals in the FCT.
Reports indicate that residents have repeatedly urged the FCT administration to fast-track the opening of the Kugbo and Mabushi terminals, which were completed months ago but remain non-operational.
Commuters say the delay has worsened transportation difficulties, particularly for those living in satellite towns such as Nyanya and Karu. Many believe the terminals, once operational, will help regulate transport activities, reduce congestion, and improve safety.
Wike had recently assured residents that operations would begin soon after the Federal Executive Council approved a public-private partnership arrangement for managing the facilities.
Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has drawn the attention of former and incumbent governors of the five South-East states to make positive contributions towards fixing the decaying Law School campus in Enugu.
Reports said that Otti has requested the Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Emeka Ngige (SAN), to formally write to the governors of the region on the urgent need to rebuild and upgrade the Enugu campus of the Nigerian Law School.
Governor Otti also expressed his readiness to collaborate with his counterparts across the zone to give the campus a comprehensive facelift.
Otti made this known during a meeting of the South East Law Development Initiative (SELDI) held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha.
Responding to concerns raised at the meeting, Governor Otti stated that upon receipt of the formal communication, he would personally engage other South-East governors to pursue a collective intervention aimed at addressing the inadequate infrastructure and deteriorating facilities at the institution.
The governor was reacting to an appeal by Chief Ngige (SAN), who also serves as Chairman of the Council of Legal Education. Chief Ngige drew attention to the deplorable condition of the existing facilities at the Enugu campus and called for urgent support.
In his response, Governor Otti advised Chief Ngige to formally write to the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum and copy him, assuring that he would use the platform to mobilize regional support for the rehabilitation of the campus.
Otti further highlighted that his administration is currently developing what is projected to become one of the best law faculties in Nigeria at Abia State University.
While commending legal practitioners for their critical role as the “last hope of the common man,” the governor urged members of the legal profession to actively participate in politics.
He emphasized that governance should not be left solely in the hands of individuals who depend entirely on politics for their livelihood.
The governor, who briefly stopped by the meeting on his way to attend the wedding reception of his younger sister, expressed appreciation for the contributions of lawyers to society.
“Thank you for what you do for our people. Anyhow you look at it, without the gentlemen of the Bar – and, of course, the Bench – the hope of the common man would be lost,” he said.
“We may not have gotten everything right, but the fact that when someone is oppressed, treated unfairly, or feels their rights have been violated, there is somewhere to turn to – that is what sustains hope.”
Speaking further on political participation, Governor Otti urged professionals across the South-East— – ncluding those from Imo State, Enugu State, and Anambra states – to take a more active role in governance.
“Because we have labeled politicians in a certain way, many of us stayed away. But the decisions they make affect every aspect of our lives,” he added.
Quoting the Greek philosopher Plato, the governor noted that one of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is being governed by less competent individuals, stressing that such a situation undermines the right to complain about poor leadership.
“We need people who have alternative means of livelihood—people who do not depend on politics to survive—to get involved in governance,” he said.
Governor Otti also expressed gratitude to the senior lawyers for their commendation of his administration’s achievements.
He noted that although his government inherited a challenging situation upon assumption of office, his focus remains on transforming the state and driving sustainable progress.
Earlier in his remarks, Chief Ngige thanked the governor for attending the meeting despite his tight schedule.
He explained that SELDI comprises Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) from the South-East, established to advance the legal profession in the region and provide advisory support when needed.
Members of the group commended Governor Otti for his visible infrastructural strides, noting that they had personally observed significant improvements across
They also pledged to provide pro bono legal services in support of the state government.
The Abia State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna (SAN) was among the senior legal practitioners present at the meeting.
