Award-winning Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold has officially opened the newly restored Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, with a sold-out orchestral concert in Lagos.

The performance marked the first major headline show at the iconic venue since the completion of its extensive renovation, positioning the centre once again as a key destination for large-scale cultural and artistic events in Nigeria.

According to reports, tickets for the concert sold out within five days. Adekunle Gold performed alongside the MUSON Orchestra and his band, The 79th Element, delivering orchestral arrangements of songs from his critically acclaimed album Fuji as well as selections from his decade-long music catalogue.

The concert featured reimagined versions of his music supported by live classical instrumentation, cinematic stage production, and carefully curated visuals. Industry observers described the event as a significant moment for Nigeria’s live performance scene, highlighting the growing integration of contemporary popular music with classical orchestration.

The Lagos show followed Adekunle Gold’s orchestral debut at the EFG London Jazz Festival in November 2025, where he became the first Nigerian artiste to headline an orchestral concert at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

With the landmark Lagos performance, the singer further reinforced his standing as one of Nigeria’s leading contemporary music figures, while also helping to reintroduce the National Theatre as a world-class venue for creative expression and large-scale productions.

Source: The Sun Nigeria