FG, bankers begin upgrade of Arts Theatre

The federal government and the Bankers’ Committee have formally kick-started the upgrade process for the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu in Lagos.

At the contract award signing for the refurbishment of the facility yesterday, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, said the project was kick-starting 18 months after it was conceived.

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He said nearly 45 years after it was built, it has continued to inspire the creativity of Nigerians, especially amongst the teeming youthful population.

Emefiele noted that the project tagged, Lagos Creative and Entertainment Centre,” seeks to restore the glory of the iconic building and that the Committee will fund the development of an ecosystem of creative hubs, labelled ‘Signature Cluster’ on the adjoining 44 hectare land to complement the National Arts Theatre.

He said the cluster has four buildings, each for Music, Film, Fashion and Information Technology verticals. In addition to these, a Visitor’s Centre, Police and Fire Stations, and structured parking for up to 500 vehicles will be built.

“We anticipate that there would be at least 10,000 direct and indirect jobs created during the construction of the Lagos Creative and Entertainment Centre.

“We also project that over 25,000 people would be engaged in different sections of the centre when the Signature Cluster is completed, with anticipated multiplier effect of other job opportunities,” said Emefiele.