A captivating 30-minute preview of Bolanle Austen-Peters‘ musical ‘Fela and the Kalakuta Queens’ electrified the audience on Wednesday as President Bola Tinubu officially unveiled the newly renovated National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos.
The iconic venue was also renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in honour of the Nobel laureate.
The ceremony, attended by Tinubu, his wife Oluremi and Olayemi Cardoso, CBN governor, and other dignitaries, was a key event marking Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary.
The musical performance chronicled the remarkable journey of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, capturing his evolution from a fearless activist to a flamboyant musical powerhouse.
It highlighted his historic union with 27 wives, fondly called the ‘Queens’, and portrayed the selfless devotion of the dancers who left their homes to embrace his vision of building a better community through music and art, with his timeless songs woven seamlessly into the production.
The play also celebrated their distinctive fashion, dance, and African identity, while challenging long-held misconceptions about them.
Speaking at the event, Austen-Peters described the play as “compelling, moving, and a fitting choice” to relaunch the theatre.
She hailed the occasion as historic for the creative sector, noting that it marked the return of a world-class venue for Nigerian arts.
“The story of Fela and his Kalakuta Queens is as compelling as it is deeply moving and emotionally engaging, and we are happy that it was selected as part of the performances to bring back to life the famed National Arts Theatre,” she said.
“It is a historic day for all of us in the creative sector, to have been selected for this landmark unveiling, on a day that Nigeria clocks 65, while having in the audience the No1, No 3 and Number 4 citizens of the country, among several other dignitaries.
“All the performances added colour and glamour to this event. This is a clear message that the creative sector has been blessed with another set of world-class venues that will enhance creativity.
“We are grateful that ‘Fela and the Kalakuta Queens were part of those who successfully relaunched this main auditorium into the hearts of Nigerians.”
Tinubu also commended the play’s rich performances, saying that “I’m impressed and I’ve enjoyed myself”.
Since its Lagos premiere in 2017, ‘Fela and the Kalakuta Queens’ has grown into a global sensation, with performances in Pretoria, Cairo, and Dubai.
The musical is slated to return to the Terra Kulture Arena from December 26 to January 12, 2026.
See photos from the event below:
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