Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has firmly rejected the calls for him to deliver an assessment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Soyinka, a prominent figure in Nigerian literature and social commentary, has consistently engaged with political matters throughout his career. However, in a recent interview, he made it clear that he would only comment when he felt he had something substantial to contribute.

Soyinka's stance follows earlier remarks where he indicated he would evaluate Tinubu’s performance after his first year in office, which concluded on May 29, 2024. Despite this, he has now clarified that assessing a government is not a task that falls solely on his shoulders but is instead a collective responsibility.

Speaking on Channels Television’s “The Morning Brief” program on Monday, March 24, Soyinka emphasized that he operates on his own timeline and will not be pressured by external expectations. He dismissed the notion that he should automatically provide a statement simply because a year has passed. “People should stop trying to work on my timetable for me. I had not swallowed an alarm clock,” Soyinka stated, underscoring his independence in choosing when to speak out.

He elaborated, “I don’t see why I should put my alarm on and say: ‘One year has passed, now, I must make an assessment’ if there is nothing I feel like talking about and if I am busy elsewhere.”

This position contrasts with the expectations set after Soyinka's visit to President Tinubu at his Bourdillon residence on December 24, 2023. Following that meeting, Soyinka told reporters that he would assess Tinubu’s administration after a year. Given that Tinubu’s administration is approaching its second anniversary on May 29, 2025, the public has been keen to hear Soyinka’s evaluation, especially amid widespread concerns over economic hardship and rising inflation under Tinubu’s leadership.

Critics have accused Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos, of mismanaging the economy, pointing to record-high inflation and an unprecedented cost of living crisis. Despite these issues, Soyinka maintains that many conscientious individuals are already voicing their opinions, and he reiterated that evaluating a government is a collective endeavor.

Soyinka questioned why he was being singled out for this task, asking, “Did I do that with Jonathan? Did I do that with Buhari? Did I do that with Obasanjo? Did I do that with anybody? So, why is it expected of me?”

He clarified his earlier statement, saying, “All it means is that one year is up. If I am around, and you want to get hold of me, I would speak. That’s all that statement meant.”

Adding to the economic discourse, the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, recently expressed grave concerns about the severe economic challenges facing Nigerians. Speaking at a ceremony on July 18, 2024, Sanusi highlighted the struggles of citizens amid the broader context of governmental policies and their impacts.

In summary, Wole Soyinka is resisting pressure to issue an immediate assessment of President Tinubu's administration, asserting his right to speak on his own terms and emphasizing the collective nature of governmental evaluation.