Award-winning Nigerian author and filmmaker Onyeka Nwelue has revealed that Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka quietly paid the outstanding balance on his knee surgery bill, a gesture that has drawn widespread praise following Soyinka’s 92nd birthday.
In a post shared on X, Nwelue explained that his surgery cost about ₦39 million, but he still owed the hospital around ₦10 million after the operation. According to him, when he informed Soyinka of the situation, the literary icon simply replied, “Let me get to Lagos this Friday and see what I can send.” Nwelue then forwarded the hospital’s bank details.
By the following Monday, Soyinka contacted him again after receiving no acknowledgement of the transfer, attaching confirmation from his bank to ensure the payment had reached the hospital. When Nwelue checked with the hospital, he was informed that the entire outstanding balance had been paid. He described the act as another example of Soyinka’s generosity, saying he did not know what he would have done without him.
The revelation sparked admiration across social media, with many commending Soyinka’s quiet philanthropy. At the same time, some critics resurfaced Nwelue’s past comments about poverty, leading to renewed online debate. Despite the mixed reactions, the story has largely been celebrated as a reflection of Soyinka’s compassion and willingness to help without seeking public attention.
