Soyinka Raises Concerns Over Seyi Tinubu’s ‘Excessive’ Security Protection

Professor Wole Soyinka has advised President Bola Tinubu to exercise greater caution in managing regional security, internal governance, and the allocation of state protection to individuals connected to power.

He made the remarks during the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Awards held in Lagos on Tuesday.

A viral four-minute video widely circulated on social media captured Soyinka recounting a recent incident in his Ikoyi hotel room that left him deeply concerned. He said he witnessed what he described as an unusually large security convoy assigned to a young man closely linked to the Presidency—an escort he claimed was “large enough to take over a small country.”

The individual, he later discovered, was Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son.

Soyinka said the incident troubled him enough to reach out to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. According to him, “I was so shocked that I immediately tried to reach the national security adviser… I told him what I saw and asked if it was normal for the child of a head of state to move around with such a heavily armed battalion.”

He added that his own inquiries confirmed that this was reportedly the standard security arrangement around Seyi.
“I was astonished,” he said, stressing that children of leaders must recognize that they are not elected officials and should not inherit the machinery of state power simply because of their proximity to authority.

During the event—which also celebrated poet Odia Ofeimum and other honorees—Soyinka urged the President to reconsider the number of security operatives attached to his son. He joked that if a major uprising were to occur, perhaps Seyi should be deployed to handle it given the size of his escort, but he emphasised that the issue was one of national priorities, not humour.

He argued that concentrating such a large security force around one individual is misplaced at a time when Nigeria is battling kidnappings, rural violence, insurgency, and widespread criminal attacks. Security assets, he insisted, must reflect the country’s urgent needs rather than privilege.

Turning to the media, he commended journalists for their endurance but called for stronger editorial responsibility in a time of rampant misinformation. He warned that society could face serious conflict if social media continues to be misused, stressing that adherence to truth and verification remains one of the strongest safeguards against instability.

The viral video continues to attract significant attention online, fuelling public debate on governance, accountability, and the deployment of state resources.

Soyinka also used the occasion to comment on Nigeria’s role in the recently halted coup attempt in the Republic of Benin. He described the involvement as an unnecessary military venture and urged the government to prioritise the strengthening of democratic institutions instead of reflex military responses. Instability in neighbouring countries, he said, will inevitably affect Nigeria.

He further criticised the ongoing demolitions in Lagos, noting that he has received disturbing images and testimonies from displaced families. While acknowledging that urban renewal may be necessary, he stressed that the dignity of affected residents must not be ignored.

The video has continued to circulate widely on social media, prompting further discussion on leadership and public accountability.

In late November, President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs, instructing that they be redirected to core policing duties nationwide.

As of Tuesday night, there has been no official confirmation or public response from the Presidency regarding the security details surrounding Seyi Tinubu.