Nigerian author and filmmaker Onyeka Nwelue has shared how Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka stepped in to settle the outstanding balance for his knee surgery after discovering he was unable to clear the hospital bill.
Nwelue recounted the experience in a post shared on his X account on Monday as he celebrated Soyinka’s 92nd birthday, describing the renowned writer as a man whose generosity has repeatedly changed his life.
According to Nwelue, his knee surgery cost approximately ₦39 million, leaving him with an unpaid balance of about ₦10 million after the procedure.
“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.’”
He explained that Soyinka subsequently asked for the hospital’s bank account details, which he immediately provided.
After making the payment, the Nobel Laureate followed up personally to confirm that the money had been received by 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.
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Nwelue said he later contacted the hospital, where officials confirmed that the outstanding bill had been fully settled.
“When I reached out to the hospital, they confirmed they had received the complete money. What could I have done without him?” he wrote.
Marking Soyinka’s birthday in a separate post, Nwelue praised the Nobel Laureate’s vitality and active lifestyle 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.
Nwelue had previously acknowledged Soyinka’s support in helping him obtain residency in Japan by serving as his guarantor during the application process.
According to the author, Soyinka wrote a formal letter to Japanese authorities in April 2025 introducing him as “a bona fide visitor to Japan” and personally guaranteed his conduct throughout his stay.
He also revealed that Soyinka once assisted in promoting his literary work by posing with a copy of his book, The Beginning of Everything Colourful, a gesture Nwelue said greatly increased the book’s visibility and further strengthened his ties with Japan.