Soyinka Criticizes Over-the-Top Security for President’s Son

At a recent awards ceremony hosted by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism in Lagos, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka condemned what he described as an “excessively large security battalion” assigned to Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu. Soyinka said the number of security personnel present at the event seemed more than necessary and gave the impression of a military takeover rather than personal protection.

He expressed concern that such heavy deployment for a private individual, who holds no public office, diverted resources from addressing the broader security challenges facing the country, including kidnappings and general violence.

Soyinka added a touch of humor, suggesting that with such a large escort, Seyi could theoretically handle a national emergency. However, he used the remark to highlight the seriousness of the issue, emphasizing the need for fair allocation of state resources.

He urged the government to scale back security details for private citizens and prioritize protection for those who genuinely require it, while also calling on media organizations to maintain accurate and responsible reporting to strengthen public trust.