Tinubu Appoints Disun Holloway As Chairman Of Theatre Partners To Oversee National Theatre Revitalisation

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Disun Holloway as Chairman of Theatre Partners, the entity responsible for the management and revitalisation of the iconic National Theatre in Lagos—recently renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.

The appointment was confirmed by top government sources and is seen as a strategic move to ensure the sustainable transformation of the historic cultural landmark.

Mr. Holloway, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs, brings decades of experience in public service, cultural governance, and the creative economy. Widely respected for his dedication to the arts, he has long championed projects that link cultural preservation with economic opportunity.

His appointment comes at a critical juncture for the National Theatre, which recently completed a landmark renovation spearheaded by the Bankers’ Committee under the leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The N68 billion investment transformed the once-dilapidated venue into a world-class cultural complex.

Originally planned as a nine-month rehabilitation, the renovation ultimately spanned six years, delayed by the underestimation of structural challenges and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The result is a fully refurbished National Theatre, now positioned to serve as a premier destination for performing arts, cultural exchange, and creative enterprise.

As Chairman of Theatre Partners, Mr. Holloway is expected to steer a new era of strategic management for the facility. He will collaborate with government agencies, private investors, and stakeholders in Nigeria’s burgeoning creative sector to ensure the Theatre’s full activation as a hub for artistic innovation and economic growth.

Cultural stakeholders have welcomed the appointment, describing it as a significant step towards deepening the country’s creative economy and reaffirming national commitment to cultural renaissance.

“This is more than just an appointment—it’s a signal that Nigeria is ready to invest meaningfully in its cultural future,” said one industry observer.