Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has stated that slavery, in its modern form, remains widespread across Africa. He made this assertion over the weekend at an event organized by Providus Bank in Lagos to commemorate World Poetry Day.
The program was curated by Jahman Anikulapo, former Sunday Editor of The Guardian and a member of the Culture Advocates Caucus.
World Poetry Day, as recognized by UNESCO, highlights poetry’s unique ability to capture the creative spirit of the human mind. This year’s theme was “Sand Dune and Ocean Bed: The Template of Dispersal.”
Addressing the audience, Soyinka remarked, “Cuba’s presence here serves both as a reminder of a tragic chapter in African history and as a prompt to recognize that the struggle is not yet over. That aberration known as slavery still exists—not just externally, but within the African continent itself.” He emphasized the significance of Cuban participation in the Lagos event.
Soyinka further reflected on migration, distinguishing between voluntary movement and forced displacement. “Migration takes many forms—some voluntary, others violent and involuntary, with no choice at any stage. This is why the world continues to acknowledge the immense damage inflicted upon Africa, historically a primary source of enslaved people. Slavery reflects humanity’s criminal tendency to subjugate others,” he stated.
He also underscored Africa’s significant yet often unacknowledged contributions to European culture and civilization. “The exchange of culture and knowledge between Africa and Europe came at a great cost—one of deep anguish. But it also testifies to the resilience of humanity.”
Soyinka concluded by urging deeper reflection on the nature of dispersal. “When we discuss migration, which shares a connection with slavery, we must not only ask where it begins but how it begins.”
