Wole Soyinka on Tinubu: Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has publicly warned President Bola Tinubu. He urged caution in handling regional security, domestic governance, and the use of state protection for privileged individuals. Soyinka made these remarks at the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Awards in Lagos. Shortly after, a viral video of his speech sparked nationwide debate.
He began by describing a recent encounter in his Ikoyi hotel room. There, he saw what he called an “excessively large security battalion” escorting a young man. That man, he later learned, was Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son. Moreover, the scale of the operation stunned him—it looked “sufficient to take over a small country.”
Consequently, Soyinka immediately tried to reach National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. He asked pointedly, “Do you mean a child of the head of state travels with an army?” Later, through informal checks, he confirmed this level of security is routine for Seyi. Given Nigeria’s security challenges, he called this deeply troubling.
Wole Soyinka on Tinubu highlights a critical misalignment in national priorities. Indeed, Nigeria’s security forces face immense pressure—from kidnappings to insurgency and urban crime. Yet assigning a full battalion to a private citizen wastes scarce resources. Furthermore, Soyinka stressed that children of leaders are not elected officials. Therefore, they should not inherit state power simply because of family ties.
He added a note of dark humor. He suggested that if a major insurgency broke out, perhaps Seyi could “go and handle it” with his large escort. However, he quickly turned serious. He emphasized that fairness and public trust depend on how equitably the state deploys its security assets.
In addition, Soyinka criticized Nigeria’s role in the recent crisis in Benin. Specifically, he called the military response an “unnecessary entanglement.” Although regional instability affects Nigeria, he warned that military force alone cannot fix democratic deficits. Instead, he urged Tinubu to strengthen institutions, not just send troops.
He then turned to Lagos, where mass demolitions have displaced families. Urban reform matters, he acknowledged. Nevertheless, it must never come at the cost of human dignity. Authorities must protect the vulnerable during relocations. After all, the photos and testimonies he received show real suffering. Thus, he asked leaders to act with compassion, not just bureaucratic efficiency.
Soyinka also addressed journalists. On one hand, he praised their courage amid growing threats. On the other hand, he warned about misinformation on social media. He believes the next major conflict could start online. Accordingly, he urged media houses to uphold truth and verification. Credible journalism, he said, remains one of Nigeria’s strongest shields against chaos.
Notably, President Tinubu recently ordered police officers withdrawn from VIPs. He wanted them redeployed to core duties. Yet reports about Seyi Tinubu’s security detail suggest uneven enforcement. As of now, the Presidency has not responded to Soyinka’s comments.
The video of Soyinka’s speech spread rapidly on X. Within hours, it gathered over 27,000 views. Many Nigerians shared it with comments on privilege, accountability, and justice. Ultimately, Wole Soyinka on Tinubu is more than criticism. It is a moral call for leadership that serves all citizens—not just the powerful few.
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