Renowned Nigerian writer, Wole Soyinka has shared his thoughts on Nigeria’s military intervention in the recently thwarted coup attempt in the Republic of Benin.
Speaking in Lagos on Monday at the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Awards, Soyinka warned that the intervention carried serious consequences for West Africa’s stability and Nigeria’s security outlook.
He argued that the move was “another unnecessary military entanglement next door,” insisting that the episode should push Nigeria to strengthen democratic institutions rather than deploy troops at the slightest provocation.
Soyinka maintained that unrest in neighbouring countries ultimately spills into Nigeria, saying: “What happens in Benin inevitably affects us. Instability anywhere in the region echoes across our own sense of security.”
He also took aim at recent building demolitions in Lagos State, lamenting the displacement of residents and accusing authorities of failing to act with empathy.
While admitting that unsafe or flood-prone structures may require removal, he stressed that evacuations must be humane: “Let us not strip away the humanity of the people affected. Development must never be implemented without compassion.”
Turning to the media, Soyinka commended journalists for their resilience but urged stronger editorial discipline amid rising misinformation. He warned that unchecked falsehoods on social media could trigger global conflict.
“The next great conflict may well be triggered by the misuse of social platforms,” he cautioned, calling for renewed commitment to truth, verification, and professionalism as Nigeria’s best defence against chaos.
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