Biography
Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka, better known by his pen name Wole Soyinka, is a Nigerian playwright, novelist, poet, and essayist of international renown. Born on July 30, 1934, he is the first African to have been bestowed with the esteemed Nobel Prize for Literature, receiving the honor in 1986.
Wole Soyinka‘s oeuvre is vast and varied, encompassing plays, novels, poems, and essays marked by his dexterous command of the English language. He is known for his sharp wit, incisive observations, and unyielding commitment to truth and justice. As such, he has become a veritable oracle for the African continent, offering trenchant insights into its multifaceted experiences.
Wole Soyinka‘s works are indispensable for those seeking to deepen their understanding of African culture. His writing is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, providing a window into the complexities and richness of the African experience.
| Wole Soyinka: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photo | |
| Full Name: | Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka |
| Stage Name: | Wole Soyinka |
| Born: | 13 July 1934 (age 88 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Abeokuta, Ogun, Nigeria |
| State Of Origin: | Ogun State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Height: | N/A |
| Parents: | Samuel Ayodele Soyinka, Grace Eniola Soyinka |
| Siblings: | Atinuke Tinu Aina Soyinka, Femi Soyinka, Yeside Soyinka, Omofolabo Folabo Ajayi-Soyinka, Kayode Soyinka, Folashade Soyinka |
| Wife • Spouse: | Barbara Skeath, Olaide Idowu, Folake Doherty-Soyinka (m. 1989) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | N/A |
| Children: | Olaokun Soyinka, Morenike Soyinka, Makin Soyinka, Moremi Soyinka-Onijala, Iyetade Apampa, Peyibomi Soyinka-Airewele, Oretunlewa Soyinka, Amani Soyinka, Tunlewa Soyinka, Bojode Soyinka, Eniara Soyinka |
| Occupation: | Playwright • Novelist |
| Net Worth: | $15 million |
Early Life
Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka, better known by his nom de plume Wole Soyinka, was born into a fascinating and multifaceted community in Abeokuta, Nigeria, on July 30, 1934. He is a descendant of the rulers of Isara. At the time, Nigeria was a British colony. He is the second of seven children.
His siblings are Atinuke Tinu Aina Soyinka, Femi Soyinka, Yeside Soyinka, Omofolabo Folabo Ajayi-Soyinka, and Kayode Soyinka. Folashade Soyinka, his younger sister, died on her first birthday. The cultural and religious diversity of his upbringing, coupled with his early access to electricity and radio, no doubt contributed to the depth and complexity of his literary works.
As the second of seven siblings, Soyinka Soyinka was born into a family with strong ties to Nigeria’s founding fathers. His father, Samuel Ayodele Soyinka, was an Anglican minister and headmaster, while his mother, Grace Eniola Soyinka, was a political activist and devout Anglican. Despite being raised in a religious household that blended Yorùbá and Christian beliefs and practices, he eventually lost his faith as he grew older.
The religious and cultural diversity of Wole Soyinka‘s community, as well as his access to various forms of media, undoubtedly influenced his writing. His plays, novels, poems, and essays often incorporate elements of Nigerian folklore and mythology while also addressing pressing political and social issues. Wole Soyinka‘s incisive wit and an unerring commitment to truth and justice have earned him the esteemed Nobel Prize for Literature, making him a veritable sibyl for the African continent.
