Nobel Prize laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has expressed deep sorrow over the current state of affairs in the United States under President Donald Trump’s leadership.
Soyinka, who had previously vowed in 2016 to renounce his green card if Trump were elected, discussed his concerns in a recent interview with freelance arts journalist Laura Collins-Hughes for the New York Times.
Soyinka described the current situation in America as one of the saddest developments he knows of, referring to it as “MAGA land” in the interview titled “At 90, Wole Soyinka Revisits His Younger, More Optimistic Self.” Reflecting on the country he once called home during his self-imposed exile, Soyinka expressed his sadness over the unfolding events. “I just feel very, very sad that what’s happening in the States should be happening in such a potentially progressive country,” Soyinka lamented.
When asked whether he feels safe in the U.S. amid the political climate, which has prompted warnings from foreign governments, including Britain, Germany, and Canada, Soyinka responded with his characteristic resilience. “Oh, I’ve lived in a constant state of nonsafety,” he said. “So I’m used to that. If I’m walking through the street and they pick me up, I have no problem whatsoever. You know, my laptop is where it is. It’s up in the clouds,” he added, flashing a smile.
Soyinka’s remarks come as Trump has intensified his campaign against irregular immigration in the U.S. and imposed tariff increases on various trade partners, including Nigeria. In 2018, Trump set a 14% tariff on Nigerian exports to the U.S., citing Nigeria’s ban on 25 American products as justification.
Back in 2016, Soyinka had voiced his concerns about Trump’s presidency, warning that it posed serious challenges for humanity. At the time, he declared his intention to renounce his green card on January 20, 2017, the day Trump was set to be inaugurated. When asked if he still planned to follow through with this, Soyinka replied, “Come January 20, 2017; watch my WOLEXIT!”
