Defend National Theatre — CBN Gov, Cardoso tells Nigerians

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Olayemi Cardoso, has urged Nigerians to defend the country’s recently revamped National Theatre, noting that the creative sector can fetch the country $25 billion yearly.

Cardoso said this on Thursday when he, alongside members of the Bankers’ Committee, toured the renovated National Theatre facility in Iganmu, Lagos.

He said, “It is estimated that the creative sector can potentially generate about $25 billion. This, to my mind, will be a great catalyst for that to happen. So, is the prosperity not just for the creative sector, but for all Nigerians? It will serve as a very powerful signal to the potentials for collaboration. Once something like this is successful, others will take a cue, and it will speak for itself.”.

“This is a giant leap forward, a source of immense pride for all Nigerians.

“Moving forward, it’s crucial that we all, not just the Bankers’ Committee, take responsibility for safeguarding this national treasure.”

Recall that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the handing over of the National Arts Theatre to the Bankers’ Committee by the Federal Government was signed in February 2021 and had an initial completion timeline of 15 months and an estimated cost of N21.3 billion.