Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has expressed concern over the unusually large security detail assigned to Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, warning that such displays of state protection raise questions about fairness and the proper use of government resources.
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Soyinka made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking at the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Awards in Lagos. He recounted a recent stay at a hotel in Ikoyi, where he was struck by the size of the security entourage accompanying Seyi Tinubu, describing it as “enough to take over a small country.”
The incident prompted Soyinka to contact National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, as he could not understand why a child of the president would travel with such a large armed detail. He stressed that children of leaders should not be treated as extensions of state power or given privileges simply due to their proximity to authority.
Soyinka also drew attention to Nigeria’s reported involvement in the recent attempted coup in Benin Republic, calling it “another unnecessary military entanglement next door.” Jokingly, he suggested that if Nigeria insisted on intervening, the president could “ask Seyi to go and handle it,” given the size of his security escort. Behind the humour, however, Soyinka highlighted that state security resources would be better used to tackle kidnappings, insurgency, and rural violence within Nigeria.
On domestic issues, Soyinka criticised ongoing demolitions in Lagos, pointing to displaced families and calling for urban reforms that respect human dignity and protect vulnerable communities. He concluded by commending journalists for their resilience while urging stronger editorial discipline to combat misinformation, warning that social media misuse could escalate tensions and conflicts, whereas credible journalism remains a safeguard for national stability.
