Did you know that the National Theatre resembles the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria, and that its construction was completed in 1976 in preparation for the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 1977?

The National Theatre is the primary centre for the performing arts in Nigeria, located in Iganmu, Surulere in Lagos state. It is a significant symbol of Nigeria’s renaissance and periods of local and regional art history, and continues to stand tall and proud to this day. It has served as a major events venue, relaxation center, and tourist attraction for both nationals and foreigners since its inception

Construction of The National Theatre was started by the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon and completed during the military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo.

By the year 2021, this edifice had been run by a number of management teams with heads such as Jimmy Folorunso Atte (1991 – August 1999), Prof Babafemi A. Osofisan (2000 – 2004), Dr. Ahmed Parker Yerima (2006 – Aug 2009), Kabir Yusuf (2009 – 2016), George Ufot, (Late) Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Oyedepo, Sunday Enessi Ododo (2020–present, 2024)

The National Theatre exterior was designed, shaped and built to look like a military hat. It originally has capacity for a 5,000-seat Main Hall with a collapsible stage, and two capacity cinema halls, all of which are equipped with facilities for simultaneous translation of 8 languages; among others.

The National Theatre, Nigeria was designed and constructed by Bulgarian construction company (Techno Exporstroy). Alhaji Sule Katagum was a co-owner and also their chairman. It resembles the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria (completed in 1968); the National Theatre Lagos, Nigeria being the bigger of the two.

In 2005, President Olusegun Obasanjo announced plans to privatise the National Theatre. This sparked controversy amongst Nigerian entertainers and playwrights like Wole Soyinka. On 30 December 2014, it was reported that the National Theatre has been sold to a Dubai-based conglomerate for the sum of N31.5 billion, and that the building will be converted to a duty-free shopping centre.

The filming for the "Keys to the Kingdom" video in Beyonce's visual album 'Black is King' took place at the National Arts Theatre, Lagos. Also, Burna Boy performed a medley of his hits "Level Up", "Onyeka" and "Ye" in front of and inside the building, during the Premiere ceremony of the 63rd Grammy Awards, on 2 March 2021. Later that week, his album Twice as Tall won the Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album.

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