On July 13, 2024, President Bola Tinubu paid tribute to Nigeria’s renowned literary figure, Professor Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka, famously known as Wole Soyinka, on his 90th birthday. Recognized worldwide as a playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, and more, Soyinka’s contributions to literature and society are vast and impactful.
Wole Soyinka is celebrated not only for his literary achievements but also for his steadfast commitment to good governance and a just society. In 1986, he made history as the first African to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. His accolades include the Benson Medal from the Royal Society of Literature, the Academy of Achievement Golden Plate Award, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Lifetime Achievement, and the Europe Theatre Prize’s Special Prize.
President Tinubu praised Professor Soyinka as one of the finest intellectuals of his time, embodying the highest standards of enlightenment and a fierce opponent of injustice and oppression. Tinubu highlighted Soyinka’s role as a repository of history, knowledge, and courage, noting his decades-long fight against corruption and for democracy in Nigeria.
Reflecting on their shared history, President Tinubu recounted their collaborative efforts during the struggle for democracy following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Soyinka’s activism, even in exile, through groups like NALICON and NADECO, positioned him as a global symbol of the fight to restore democracy in Nigeria.
In recognition of Soyinka’s profound influence and in celebration of his 90th birthday, President Tinubu announced the renaming of the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, to The Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts. This honor underscores Soyinka’s lasting impact on generations of writers, scholars, and activists.
President Tinubu concluded his tribute by wishing Professor Soyinka many more years of health and creative fulfillment, acknowledging his enduring legacy as a global force for change.
