President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm birthday greetings to Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, as he marked his 91st birthday on July 13, 2025. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the literary giant as an “uncommon patriot” and a beacon of courage, intellect, and integrity whose life and works have inspired generations across the globe.
The President praised Soyinka for his tireless commitment to Nigeria’s democratic ideals, education, and human rights. He noted that Soyinka’s voice has remained consistent in advocating for justice and truth, while his creative legacy continues to shape cultural and intellectual discourse both within Nigeria and internationally.
Reflecting on his personal relationship with the laureate, President Tinubu acknowledged Soyinka’s deep influence on national affairs and public thought. He hailed the playwright, poet, and essayist as a cultural ambassador whose contributions to literature and civic life have earned him a revered place in global history.
Born in July 1934, Wole Soyinka became the first African to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. Over the decades, he has authored a wide range of critically acclaimed works and remained an unrelenting voice in defense of freedom and democracy. President Tinubu wished him continued strength, good health, and mental vigor as he enters “the last decade of his centennial.”
