Nobel Laureate Declines to Be Rushed, Says Evaluating Leadership is a Collective Effort
Published on March 24, 2025
By Matthew Atungwu
Nigerian literary giant and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has made it clear that he will speak on President Bola Tinubu’s administration when he deems it necessary, cautioning Nigerians against setting an artificial timetable for his political commentary.
Soyinka’s remarks came during his appearance on The Morning Brief, a popular Channels Television program, on Monday, March 24, 2025. His response was directed at critics and observers who have urged him to fulfill his earlier promise of evaluating Tinubu’s leadership after its first year in office—a milestone that was reached on May 29, 2024.
“People should stop trying to work on my timetable for me. I have not swallowed an alarm clock,” Soyinka stated firmly.
“I don’t see why I should put my alarm on and say, ‘One year has passed, now I must make an assessment,’ if there is nothing I feel like talking about and if I am busy elsewhere.”
Soyinka’s Past Statements on Tinubu’s Government
Soyinka’s latest comments come months after his high-profile visit to President Tinubu at his Bourdillon residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, on December 24, 2023. During that visit, he was asked to give his opinion on Tinubu’s governance, but he declined at the time, stating that he would reserve judgment until the government had spent a full year in office.
Now, as the administration approaches its second anniversary in May 2025, many Nigerians have been waiting for his long-anticipated political critique.
However, Soyinka’s reluctance to be rushed into making a public assessment underscores his belief that evaluating a government’s performance should not be dictated by public pressure but by the realities on the ground.
Tinubu’s Government Under Fire: What Critics Are Saying
Despite Soyinka’s silence, criticism of Tinubu’s administration has been mounting. Several political analysts and economic experts argue that Nigeria’s economy is in its worst state in recent history, citing:
✅ Record-high inflation, making basic commodities unaffordable for millions.
✅ The declining value of the naira, which has further strained the economy.
✅ High unemployment rates, leaving many young Nigerians without opportunities.
✅ Rising insecurity, with banditry and kidnapping still rampant in parts of the country.
Economic experts, including Dr. Ayo Teriba, a renowned financial analyst, have warned that Nigeria’s economic trajectory under Tinubu’s government could worsen unless decisive policy changes are made.
Political activists, including human rights lawyer Femi Falana, have also been vocal in their criticism of the administration, calling for urgent intervention to address economic hardship.
Yet, Soyinka maintains that political commentary should be a collective effort, not just the responsibility of a few individuals.
“Assessing Government is a Collective Responsibility” – Soyinka
In his latest remarks, Soyinka reminded Nigerians that he has never positioned himself as the sole voice of accountability and that many others have been speaking up.
“This business of ‘you haven’t come to do this,’ I don’t understand it. Other people are doing the same; this is a collective effort.”
He listed several individuals and groups who have been actively engaged in critiquing government policies:
🔹 Femi Falana (Human Rights Lawyer) – Regularly calls for policy changes and legal reforms.
🔹 Kadaria Ahmed (Veteran Journalist) – Hosts debates and discussions on governance.
🔹 Omoyele Sowore (Activist & Politician) – Leads protests against government failures.
🔹 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) – Continually push for transparency and accountability.
“The Falanas speak consistently. The Baiyewus speak consistently. The Sowores come out and try to lead demonstrations. It’s a collective effort,” Soyinka noted.
“Did I Do This for Jonathan, Buhari, or Obasanjo?” – Soyinka Questions Expectations
Soyinka also pushed back against claims that he owes the public a formal government evaluation, questioning why he is being held to a different standard than in previous administrations.
“Did I do that with Jonathan? Did I do that with Buhari? Did I do that with Obasanjo? Did I do that with anybody? So why is it expected of me now?”
He further emphasized that while his one-year deadline had passed, it simply meant that he was now open to addressing issues whenever necessary—but not on demand.
“The one year is up, which means you have a right, and I have a responsibility to respond when you call me on certain issues. But if you are saying that I should call a press conference and say, ‘One year is up, let us now make an assessment’—I see no need for that.”
Public Reaction: Divided Opinions on Soyinka’s Stance
Soyinka’s refusal to rush into an assessment has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians.
🔹 Supporters of Soyinka argue that he has earned the right to speak at his own pace, given his decades-long history of activism and fearless critique of past governments.
🔹 Critics, however, accuse him of hypocrisy, arguing that he has been vocal in the past but appears to be delaying his criticism of Tinubu’s government.
A political commentator, Dr. Jide Ojo, believes that Soyinka is playing a strategic game, choosing when and how to engage in political discussions.
“Soyinka has always been a master of timing. He doesn’t just talk for the sake of talking. When he speaks, people listen. So, I believe he will address the Tinubu administration when he finds it necessary,” Ojo stated.
Read also: 2027: Lamido Urges Amaechi, El-Rufai, Kwankwaso, Wamakko to Return to PDP to Defeat Tinubu
What’s Next? Will Soyinka Eventually Speak?
With Tinubu’s administration approaching its second year in power, many are eager to see if Soyinka will eventually offer a formal critique.
For now, the Nobel Laureate maintains that he will not be rushed into speaking simply to meet public expectations.
“All it means is that one year is up. If I am around and you want to get hold of me, I will speak. That’s all that statement meant.”
Until then, Nigerians will have to wait for the day Soyinka decides to break his silence on the Tinubu administration.
