- Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has urged Africans to preserve their culture and traditions by teaching their children their native languages.
- Soyinka made a call during a visit to the University of Ilorin, leading up to the school’s inaugural Culture Week, organized by the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts.
Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has called on Africans to pass their native languages on to their children in order to preserve cultural heritage and traditions.
Soyinka made the appeal during a visit to the University of Ilorin on Monday, May 19, 2025. His visit was part of the university’s inaugural Culture Week, hosted by the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts.
Expressing his full support for the Centre’s initiatives, the literary icon emphasized that his presence was not merely ceremonial but a commitment to contributing to the success of the university’s cultural programs.
“My mission in Ilorin is to help implement the Centre’s cultural vision,” he said.
Soyinka praised Ilorin’s rich blend of cultures, likening it to Abu Dhabi—where he teaches at New York University Abu Dhabi—due to its diverse cultural influences. He described Ilorin as a fitting venue for such a celebration of cultural unity and diversity.
He also commended the University of Ilorin for using the arts to foster global understanding and peaceful coexistence beyond the campus and its immediate community.
Speaking to journalists after meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Soyinka emphasized that language plays a critical role in preserving identity. “Language is a repository of culture. Africans must teach their children their native languages to sustain their traditions,” he urged.
The playwright reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to promoting African arts and culture and pledged continued support for the university’s cultural initiatives.
