Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has sharply criticised the heavy security presence he observed around Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, describing the entourage as excessive and unnecessary for a private citizen.
Speaking in Lagos on Tuesday during the presentation of an honorary award to veteran poet and activist Odia Ofeimun by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Mr Soyinka recounted his shock at seeing “about 15 or so heavily armed” security operatives escorting Seyi Tinubu at a hotel in Ikoyi.
Mr Soyinka, who initially thought the scene was part of a film set, said he was stunned when a young man broke away from the armed group to greet him — only to learn later from his driver that it was the president’s son.
Alarmed by what he witnessed, the Nobel Laureate said he immediately contacted National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to register his concern.
“I’ve just seen something I can’t believe,” he recalled telling Mr Ribadu. “Do you mean that a child of the head of state goes around with an army for his protection? I couldn’t believe it.”
He added that his own inquiries later confirmed that such a large armed escort is reportedly a routine part of Seyi Tinubu’s movements.
“Let’s not overdo things,” he warned.
In a sarcastic jab, Mr Soyinka said that instead of deploying soldiers and air force personnel to help thwart the attempted coup in Benin Republic on Sunday, President Tinubu could have simply sent his son — given the troop-sized detail that shadows him.
“Next time there’s an insurrection, the president should just call that young man. He has enough troops under his command,” he quipped.
Soyinka stressed that presidential children must understand their place in a democracy.
“Children should know their place. They are not potentates,” he said.
His comments come just weeks after President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers from VIPs nationwide, directing them to return to core security duties. VIPs who still require escorts must now request personnel from the NSCDC.
With insecurity worsening across Nigeria and security agencies overstretched, Soyinka argued that allocating such a large contingent to a private individual undermines the nation’s already strained security architecture.
