The National Assembly Joint Committee on Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has urged the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy to urgently reopen and fully operationalise the National Theatre in Lagos, warning that Nigeria is losing billions of naira in potential revenue from the dormant facility.
The committee, comprising senators and members of the House of Representatives, expressed concern over the prolonged inactivity of the iconic cultural complex, describing it as a wasted economic asset that should be contributing significantly to tourism revenue and job creation.
Ogoshi Onawo, Chairman of the joint committee and Senator representing Nasarawa South, made the remarks when Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, appeared before the panel to defend the ministry’s 2026 budget proposal.
Onawo stressed that the Federal Government must take decisive steps to unlock the economic potential of the National Theatre.
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“When the cultural industry was thriving during the Hubert Ogunde era, the National Troupe won accolades across the world, and that alone attracted significant revenue and investment,” he said.
“Now that the National Theatre has been handed over by the Bankers’ Committee, what is delaying its reopening? As long as the facility remains closed, billions of naira in potential revenue are being lost daily. Something must be done to unlock and reopen it to the public.”
The National Theatre, built in 1976 and commissioned in 1977 for the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), remains one of Nigeria’s most recognisable cultural landmarks.
Designed as the nerve centre of Nigeria’s performing arts sector, the complex features a 5,000-seat main auditorium, exhibition halls, rehearsal studios, and conference facilities.
For decades, it hosted major stage productions, concerts, and international cultural events. However, years of neglect and underinvestment led to infrastructural deterioration and underutilisation, despite its strategic location in Lagos.
In 2020, the Federal Government approved its renovation under a public-private partnership arrangement backed by the Bankers’ Committee, with plans to transform it into a modern creative hub featuring film production clusters, fashion facilities, and music studios.
Onawo also criticised Nigeria’s tourism performance, noting that countries with fewer cultural and natural assets generate significantly higher tourism revenues.
“Some countries do not have the kind of resources Nigeria possesses, yet they generate substantial income from tourism. Even Saudi Arabia, despite its oil wealth, is diversifying into tourism. Why can’t Nigeria do the same?” he asked.
He cited the Argungu Fishing Festival in Kebbi State as an example of an underutilised asset, urging its modernisation to attract both domestic and international tourists. He also called for renewed investment in Yankari Game Reserve and Obudu Cattle Ranch.
“Argungu has existed for centuries. If modernised, it can attract global attention. Yankari is almost inactive, and access to Obudu remains a major challenge. With proper investment, these sites can generate significant revenue and enhance Nigeria’s global image,” he said.
Responding, Musawa acknowledged funding constraints, noting that limited releases under the 2025 budget had delayed several initiatives.
She proposed a N1 trillion allocation for the ministry in the 2026 fiscal year to drive economic diversification through tourism and the creative economy.
“If we are able to secure N1 trillion for the ministry, it would provide sufficient capacity to drive meaningful diversification,” she said.
However, Onawo suggested that a more ambitious allocation of between N1 trillion and N5 trillion could accelerate transformation of the sector and reduce dependence on federal allocations.
“With sufficient investment over the next two to three years, the tourism and creative sector could become self-sustaining and significantly contribute to national revenue,” he added.
