“Ebrohimie Road: A Museum of Memory” Explores Wole Soyinka’s Life

A new documentary titled “Ebrohimie Road: A Museum of Memory” will explore the life and legacy of Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka. The film, directed by Kola Tunbosun and shot by cinematographer Tunde Kelani, is set to have its first screening on July 11, 2024, at the University of Lagos.

The 110-minute documentary focuses on Soyinka’s formative years spent at the University of Ibadan, where he lived on the road named Ebrohimie. It delves into his incarceration, later contributions to Nigerian culture and history, and the events on campus that influenced his activism.

“Ebrohimie Road: A Museum of Memory” utilizes stories from Soyinka, his friends and family, photographs, objects, and historical records to document the history of the road and the ideas Soyinka developed while living there.

The documentary screening is part of a full-day event titled “ENI-OGUN: An Enduring Legacy,” organized by the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) and the Nigeria Academy of Letters (NAL). The event aims to commemorate Soyinka’s 90th birthday.

Soyinka, a playwright, poet, and essayist, was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first African to receive the prestigious honor. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential literary figures in Nigeria and a prominent voice in the country’s cultural and political landscape.

Apart from this documentary, two biopics on the Nobel laureate, “The Man Died” by Awam Amkpa and “Wole Soyinka” by Joshua Ojo, are also set to be released this year.

Watch the trailer here