By Ghazali Ibrahim
Nigerian author and filmmaker Onyeka Nwelue has revealed how Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka came to his aid by paying the outstanding N10 million balance of his hospital bill following knee surgery.
Nwelue shared the story in a post on social media, describing Soyinka’s intervention as an act of compassion that relieved him of a huge financial burden.
According to the writer, his knee surgery cost about N39 million, leaving him with an outstanding payment of around N10 million owed to the hospital.
He said that after informing Soyinka about his situation, the Nobel laureate immediately offered to help.
“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 said he subsequently forwarded the hospital’s bank details to Soyinka.
A few days later, Soyinka contacted him to confirm that the money had been transferred after following up with his bank.
According to Nwelue, Soyinka wrote: “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. I just wish to ensure it’s landed in the right place.”
Nwelue said he immediately reached out to the hospital, which confirmed that it had received the complete outstanding payment.
Reflecting on the gesture, he wrote: “What could I have done without him?”
His revelation has since attracted widespread admiration online, with many praising Soyinka for his generosity and continued support for younger Nigerian writers and intellectuals.
