National Arts Theatre


The National Arts Theatre is the primary centre for the performing arts in Nigeria. The monument is located in Iganmu, Surulere, Lagos. Its construction was completed in 1976 in preparation for the Festival of Arts and Culture in 1977. The collection of National Gallery of Modern Nigerian Art is housed in a section of this building.

Design

Construction of The National Arts Theatre was started by the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon and completed during the military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo. Its exterior is shaped like a military hat. It has a 5,000-seater 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 Arts Theatre was designed and constructed by Bulgarian construction company Alhaji Sule Katagum was a co owner and also their Chairman. it resembles the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria, the National Arts Theatre Lagos being the bigger of the two.

Controversy

In 2010, President Olusegun Obasanjo announced plans to privatise the National Arts Theatre. This sparked controversy amongst Nigerian entertainers and playwrights like Wole Soyinka
On 30 December 2014, it was reported that the National Arts Theatre has been sold to a Dubai-based conglomerate for the sum of $40million, and that the building will be converted to a duty-free shopping mall.