President Bola Tinubu delivered a thought-provoking message during the unveiling of the N68 billion Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Arts — formerly known as the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. The event, held on October 1, 2025, was part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration and marked the grand rebirth of one of Africa’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
The once-dilapidated National Theatre, which hosted the historic 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), has now been completely rebuilt into a world-class facility, courtesy of the Committee of Bankers of Nigeria, coordinated by Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso. The unveiling drew top dignitaries, including the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu. The newly transformed edifice now stands as a global cultural hub, worthy of the name it now bears — Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Arts.
Tinubu’s statement, “We learn English to teach it better,” became a key takeaway of the night — a subtle yet powerful reflection on education, identity, and communication. But beyond that, other remarks during the independence celebration reignited a national conversation about the state of English usage in Nigeria.
Professor Adeyemi Daramola of Dennis Osadebay University, a noted scholar of English and Linguistics, recalled his earlier warning in a 2019 inaugural lecture that the English language in Nigeria is slowly deteriorating. He stressed that the poor use of English, even among teachers, threatens the linguistic integrity of the nation. According to him, while English may not vanish overnight, its misuse weakens the intellectual fabric of communication in Nigeria.
A few days before the independence celebration, the President of PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo, appeared on Politics Today where he announced that his union might go on strike after the alleged dismissal of 800 tanker drivers by the Dangote Refinery. He argued that the workers were fired for attempting to join the union. However, Osifo’s choice of words and claims of “intellectual” leadership drew criticism from analysts who described his reasoning as lacking in logic and national awareness.
Observers argued that true intellectualism is rooted in reason, empathy, and a grasp of economic consequences — traits that were missing in his stance. A strike during the Independence period, they said, would have crippled mobility and dampened national celebrations. Many also questioned his assertion that PENGASSAN “made NNPC work,” pointing instead to the decades-long struggles of Nigeria’s refineries.
At the unveiling, Professor Wole Soyinka spoke with his trademark eloquence, sharing seven reasons why he accepted the honour of having the centre named after him. His comment that President Tinubu “conspired” to approve the naming drew laughter, which Tinubu playfully refuted. The President, in response, described Soyinka as “Nigeria’s greatest asset to the world,” praising his unmatched contribution to culture, nationhood, and intellectual freedom.
Cardoso also made waves that night with a linguistic flourish — his use of the phrase, “Might I add,” during his speech. It was a rare moment of linguistic precision not often heard in Nigeria’s public space, where less formal expressions like “I want to add” or “If I may add” are common, even in official settings.
The evening served as both a celebration of Nigeria’s independence and a subtle reminder of the power of language. As the President hinted, continuous learning remains essential for effective leadership and communication. English, though inherited, has become one of Nigeria’s greatest tools — one that must be nurtured, mastered, and passed on with precision and pride.
