At the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Awards in Lagos, Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka criticized the size of the security convoy attached to President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, describing it as large enough to “crush” the recent attempted coup in Benin.
Soyinka said he was shocked by the convoy he witnessed in Ikoyi, Lagos, noting that concentrating a battalion of operatives around one individual is inconsistent with Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, including kidnappings, rural attacks, and insurgency. He urged that security deployment should reflect national needs rather than privilege.
He also condemned Nigeria’s involvement in the foiled Benin coup as “another unnecessary military entanglement” and criticized ongoing demolitions in Lagos, highlighting the lack of safeguards for displaced residents.
Soyinka praised investigative journalists for their work while warning that misinformation on social media could trigger future conflicts. The event also honored veteran poet Odia Ofeimun and several award-winning journalists.
As of now, the Presidency has not responded to Soyinka’s remarks.
