President Bola Tinubu has appointed Disun Holloway as chairman of Theatre Partners, the body tasked with managing and sustaining the newly revitalised National Theatre in Lagos, now officially renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.
Mr. Holloway, a seasoned public servant and former Lagos State commissioner for tourism and intergovernmental affairs, brings decades of experience in cultural leadership, governance and the creative economy.
Known for his dedication to arts advocacy, Holloway has been instrumental in promoting initiatives that fuse cultural preservation with economic growth.
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment in the history of the National Theatre, following the completion of a landmark N68 billion renovation.
Spearheaded by the bankers’ committee under the leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the project aimed to restore the architectural and cultural icon to its former glory while positioning it as a modern creative hub.
Initially slated for completion within nine months, the extensive redevelopment stretched over six years due to the underestimated complexity of the project and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The result is a transformed, world-class cultural venue now ready to host a new era of Nigerian and international performing arts, creative expression and cultural exchange.
As chairman of Theatre Partners, Holloway will be responsible for ensuring the effective and sustainable management of the centre.
He is expected to work in close collaboration with federal and state government agencies, the private sector and key stakeholders within the creative industry to fully harness the potential of the revitalised facility.
The appointment signals a renewed national commitment to cultural renaissance and the strategic role of the creative industries in driving inclusive economic development.
