Wole Soyinka helped cover my knee surgery costs - Author

Nigerian author and filmmaker Onyeka Nwelue has shared how Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka paid for his knee surgery when he heard about his money issues.

Nwelue posted this on his X account on Monday while celebrating Soyinka’s 92nd birthday. He called the literary giant a generous person who has helped him many times.

He said the surgery cost around ₦39 million, but he still owed the hospital about ₦10 million after the operation.

“When I told Professor Wole Soyinka that my knee surgery cost about 39 million and that I had about 10 million to pay the hospital, he said: ‘Let me get to Lagos this Friday and see what I can send.’”

Nwelue mentioned that Soyinka asked for the hospital’s bank details, which he sent to him. After making the payment, the Nobel Laureate checked to make sure the money arrived at the hospital.

“By Monday, he messaged me: ’Receiving no notification from you, I asked my bank for confirmation that the money has been sent.

“‘Forwarding separately the affirmation documents from the bank in case you need to track the funds. Bank document attached in case you need to track the remittance. I just wish to ensure it’s landed in the right place,” he said.

Nwelue contacted the hospital, and the staff confirmed that the bill had been paid in full.

“When I reached out to the hospital, they confirmed they had received the complete money. What could I have done without him?” he wrote.

In another post celebrating Soyinka’s birthday, Nwelue praised the Nobel Laureate for staying active despite his age.

“My true love is 92 years today! He is still very active. Uses his iPhone and sends his emails. Travels frequently. I am forever grateful to Nature for everything,” he wrote.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that Nwelue credited Soyinka for helping him get residency in Japan. Soyinka stood as his guarantor during the application process.

According to Nwelue, Soyinka wrote a formal letter to Japanese officials in April 2025, introducing him as “a bona fide visitor to Japan” and personally guaranteed his behavior during his stay.

Nwelue also shared that Soyinka had supported his literary career before. He posed with a copy of Nwelue’s book, The Beginning of Everything Colourful, to help promote it. This gesture helped the book gain visibility and strengthened his ties with Japan.