Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has revealed that receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature made him the first sub-Saharan African to win the prestigious award, which also placed him in danger. The acclaimed writer was honored in 1986 for his “wide cultural perspective and poetic overtones in portraying the drama of existence.”

In a recent interview with CNN’s Larry Madowo, shared on Thursday, Soyinka discussed how his active involvement in Nigeria’s political landscape put him at odds with the country’s power holders, significantly increasing his risk. He described feeling a sense of isolation following his Nobel win, as he faced heightened expectations.

“I felt isolated when I won the Nobel Laureate, and I was relieved when another African was honored. Overnight, so much was demanded of me. It felt as if my constituency expanded simply because I am from Africa. Yet, in a society like ours, this exposure can be perilous,” he explained. “This put me in great danger, as I refused to abandon my beliefs and activities just because I became a Nobel Laureate.”

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Soyinka elaborated on the specific threats he faced, mentioning the late military dictator General Sani Abacha, who he believes would have found satisfaction in executing him. “The most brutal dictator we ever had, Sani Abacha, would have been happy if he could claim to have hanged a Nobel Laureate. He had to settle for the execution of activist and writer Ken Saro-Wiwa instead,” he said.

During Abacha’s oppressive regime from 1993 to 1998, Soyinka made a daring escape from Nigeria, traveling on a motorcycle through the Benin border. The military government later sentenced him to death in absentia. Soyinka finally returned to Nigeria in 1999 after the restoration of democracy.

Reflecting on his birthday celebrations, the 90-year-old literary icon admitted he does not particularly enjoy celebrating. “The annoying thing is that I don’t feel 90. Birthdays are something I take for granted. Usually, I disappear into the forest to spend my birthdays,” he shared, marking his milestone birthday on July 13, 2024.