15/07/2026
PROFESSOR WOLE SOYINKA @ 92
Wole Soyinka is a renowned Nigerian playwright, poet, novelist, essayist, and human rights activist. He was born on 13 July 1934 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
He studied at University College Ibadan and later at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, where he developed his literary and dramatic skills.
In 1986, Soyinka became the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. He received the award for his powerful literary works, which combine African traditions with universal themes of justice, freedom, and human dignity.
Throughout his career, Soyinka has been a strong advocate for democracy, good governance, and human rights. During Nigeria's military era, he was imprisoned for his outspoken views but continued to champion freedom and justice through his writings.
Some of his notable works include:
The Lion and the Jewel
Death and the King's Horseman
A Dance of the Forests
The Man Died (memoir)
Aké: The Years of Childhood
Professor Wole Soyinka remains one of Africa's most influential intellectuals and literary figures. His contributions to literature, education, and the promotion of democracy have earned him numerous international awards and honorary degrees. He continues to inspire generations through his writing, lectures, and advocacy for justice and human rights.