Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has warned that societies which neglect their history and fail to confront injustice are at risk of sliding into tyranny, stressing that cultural identity and historical consciousness remain essential to justice and national renewal.
Soyinka delivered the warning while presenting the Centenary Lecture of the Yoruba Tennis Club (YTC) in Lagos, where he traced the origins of the club to a broader struggle for social liberation, dignity and self-definition among Nigerians during the colonial era.
The playwright and activist said the organisation that later became the Yoruba Tennis Club was conceived not merely as a social institution, but as part of a historical movement to reclaim identity and dignity in the face of oppression.
He described the club’s name as a deliberate and powerful affirmation of cultural identity, rejecting the idea that embracing Yoruba heritage contradicts global or universal values.
“What is wrong with being Yoruba?” Soyinka asked, insisting that cultural rootedness does not undermine cosmopolitanism.
According to him, humanity is not built on cultural erasure but on the recognition, respect and dignity of origins.
“The founders of the club understood who they were and what they stood for,” he said.
Lessons from Independence and Nationhood
Reflecting on Nigeria’s post-independence experience, Soyinka said many leaders were more interested in replacing colonial rulers than dismantling the unjust systems they inherited.
He noted that the excitement surrounding independence often overshadowed the need for deep reflection on governance, accountability and justice.
Soyinka explained that his early play, A Dance of the Forests, was intentionally pessimistic, designed to serve as a warning against repeating historical mistakes.
Contrary to expectations that the work should celebrate independence, he said he believed the real work of nation-building had only just begun.
“The future is not merely about liberating ourselves from the past,” Soyinka said, adding that genuine progress requires remembering, confronting and learning from past failures in order to avoid reproducing them in new forms.
He warned that tyranny rarely arrives suddenly, but often takes root when societies neglect justice, silence dissent and allow leaders to step comfortably into the roles of former oppressors.
YTC Reaffirms Cultural and Intellectual Legacy
Chairman of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Chief Olawumi Gasper, reaffirmed the club’s commitment to preserving history, culture and intellectual leadership.
He described the centenary celebration as a testament to the institution’s enduring legacy and sustained influence in Nigeria’s cultural and intellectual landscape, noting that the club has remained rooted in tradition while engaging contemporary issues for over a century.
Gasper praised Soyinka’s intellectual depth, cultural insight and moral clarity, describing the lecture and interactive session as a rare opportunity to engage with wide-ranging discussions on literature, culture, nationhood, humanity, conscience and the enduring role of history in shaping societies.
He also paid tribute to the club’s founding fathers, acknowledging their foresight, sacrifices and dedication to preserving the values and traditions of the Yoruba Tennis Club.
