Prof. Wole Soyinka: Biography, Achievements Marital Life And Net Worth

Prof. Wole Soyinka has his real name as Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka. He is a renowned Nigerian playwright, poet, essayist and Nobel laureate in literature.

He was born on July 13, 1934, in Abeokuta, Nigeria. He is widely regarded as one of the most important literary figures to emerge from Africa and has made significant contributions to both literature and political activism.

Here is a brief biography of Professor Wole Soyinka:

 

Early Life and Education:

Wole Soyinka was born into a Yoruba family in Western Nigeria.

He attended the University of Ibadan, where he studied English literature and drama.

He later pursued further studies at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom, where he earned a doctorate in literature.

Literary Career:

Soyinka’s early works include plays like “A Dance of the Forests” (1960) and “The Man Died: Prison Notes” (1972), which reflected his political activism.

He is best known for his play “Death and the King’s Horseman” (1975), which explores the clash of cultures between the British colonial rulers and the indigenous Yoruba people.

Soyinka’s writing often addresses themes of oppression, colonialism, and the complexities of Nigerian society.

Political Activism:

Soyinka has been a prominent political activist and has been a vocal critic of authoritarian regimes in Nigeria.

He was imprisoned for 27 months during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) and later for his criticism of military regimes in Nigeria.

His activism led to his self-imposed exile from Nigeria during periods of military rule.

Nobel Prize:

In 1986, Wole Soyinka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first African laureate in that category.

The Nobel Committee recognized his contribution to drama, which combined a wide-ranging perspective with poetic intensity and a commitment to social and political issues.

In his acceptance speech, the Nobel Laureate dedicated his Nobel prize to South African freedom fighter, the late Nelson Mandela.

 

Europe Theatre Prize

In 2017, he received the Special Prize of the Europe Theatre Prize, in Rome. The Prize organization stated:

“A Special Prize is awarded to Wole Soyinka, writer, playwright and poet, Nobel Prize for literature in 1986, who with his work has been able to create an ideal bridge between Europe and Africa (…) With his art and his commitment, Wole Soyinka has contributed to a renewal of African cultural life, participating actively in the dialogue between Africa and Europe, touching on more and more urgent political themes and bringing, in English, richness and beauty to literature, theatre and action in Europe and the four corners of the world”.

 

Later Life and Achievements:

Soyinka has continued to write and publish works of literature, essays, and poetry.

He has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career.

In addition to his literary contributions, he has also been involved in human rights activism and efforts to promote democracy and justice in Nigeria.

Wole Soyinka’s literary and political influence extends far beyond Nigeria, making him a prominent figure in both African and global literature. His works remain influential and relevant, addressing important social and political issues through the lens of art and literature.

July 2023, the literary giant came under severe criticism, after writing an open letter to the Emir of Ilorin over the cancellation of the Isese festival proposed by an Osun priestess, Omolara Olatunji, popularly known as Yeye Ajesikemi.

Legacy and Honours

The Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture Series was founded in 1994 and “is dedicated to honouring one of Nigeria and Africa’s most outstanding and enduring literary icons: Professor Wole Soyinka”.It is organised by the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), which organisation Soyinka with six other students founded in 1952 at the then University College Ibadan.

In 2011, the African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Centre built a writers’ enclave in his honour. It is located in Adeyipo Village, Lagelu Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The enclave includes a Writer-in-Residence Programme that enables writers to stay for a period of two, three or six months, engaging in serious creative writing.

 

Wole Soyinka’s Marital Life

Soyinka is said to have married to three different women. His first wife was late British writer Barbara Dixon, whom he met at the University of Leeds in the 1950s. Barbara was the mother of his first son, Olaokun, and his daughter Morenike. They divorced in 1983.

His second marriage was in 1963 to Nigerian librarian Olaide Idowu, with whom he had three daughters – Moremi, Iyetade (1965–2013), Peyibomi – and a second son, Ilemakin. Soyinka’s youngest daughter is Amani.

Soyinka again, married Folake Doherty in 1989 and the couple has three sons: Tunlewa, Bojode and Eniara. She is a Nigerian woman, and they have maintained a relatively private personal life.

Wole Soyinka’s Net Worth

Wole Soyinka is one of the widely celebrated playwrights in Nigeria, Africa and the entire world with an estimated net worth of about $5 million dollars.

Literary figures like Soyinka typically derive their income from book sales, speaking engagements, academic positions, and awards. It’s important to note that his primary focus has been on his literary and intellectual pursuits, as well as his political activism, rather than accumulating personal wealth.

A million thanks for your time, reading about Prof. Wole Soyinka’s biography, numerous achievements, marital life, other interesting facts and net worth. Your comments will surely be appreciated.