Wole Soyinka: Nobel laureate joins NYU Abu Dhabi

Multifaceted artist-dramatist, poet, essayist, musician, philosopher, teacher, human rights activist, global artist and scholar to join faculty from September

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka speaks to press in Lagos, Nigeria. AP

Wole Soyinka, a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, will join the faculty of New York University Abu Dhabi from September 1.

A multifaceted artist-dramatist, poet, essayist, musician, philosopher, teacher, human rights activist, global artist and scholar, Soyinka will join the NYUAD theatre programme as a full-time faculty member, offering the community direct access to one of the world's greatest modern thinkers.

Soyinka's appointment is aligned with NYUAD's academic strategy and its mission as a university, the institution said.

He will play a key role in continuing to enhance the university's standing within the arts and its growth as a pre-eminent research and teaching university, and leader in global higher education.

“It is a great honour to have Wole Soyinka, a world-renowned artist, academic and activist, a true citizen of the world, and a Nobel laureate join our NYUAD community,” said NYUAD vice chancellor Mariet Westermann.

“Our location in Abu Dhabi, a transnational crossroads for the exchange of cultural and artistic traditions, positions NYUAD uniquely to catalyse new creativity and discourse.

“We are excited to provide a home in the UAE for the beauty and power of Soyinka's contributions to our understanding of our histories and our humanity.”

NYUAD through the years — in pictures

• 

  The New York University Abu Dhabi campus during construction on Saadiyat Island. The university is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Silvia Razgova / The National

• 

  Students attend NYU Abu Dhabi's summer academy in July, 2011. Andrew Henderson / The National

• 

  The NYU Abu Dhabi campus under construction in July, 2009. Sammy Dallal / The National

• 

  Work continues on the campus in September, 2009. Andrew Henderson / The National

• 

  Accessories and apparel during NYU Abu Dhabi's opening week in September, 2010. Lee Hoagland/ The National

• 

  An abstract map of Abu Dhabi and New York on a wall at the campus. Lee Hoagland / The National

• 

  New York University Abu Dhabi's campus on Saadiyat Island. Photo: NYUAD

• 

  The university used temporary premises, next to the Abu Dhabi Heritage foundation, until the campus on Saadiyat island was completed. Lee Hoagland / The National

• 

  The first day of classes at the new campus on Saadiyat Island, in September 2014. Lee Hoagland/The National

• 

  NYU Abu Dhabi is a collaboration between New York University and the Abu Dhabi government. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi

• 

  The Saadiyat Island campus in October 2014. Photo: Tamkeen

• 

  Yumi Gambrill in a laboratory at the university. She discovered that a UAE plant, Cleome rupicola, contains a substance that can be used against cataracts. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi

• 

  Dr Ali Trabolsi, an associate professor of chemistry at NYU Abu Dhabi, led research that could help to improve cancer treatments. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  The High Line at the campus, named after a park in New York City. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi

• 

  Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, during a visit to the university. Hamad Al Kaabi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

• 

  Graduands receive their degree certificates during the university's ceremony in 2016. Christopher Pike / The National

• 

  Award-winning Ali Al Mansoori, 16, will develop her research methods under the eye of NYU Abu Dhabi scientist, Mohamed Al Sayegh. NYU Abu Dhabi

• 

  Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of State for Youth, and Vice Chancellor Alfred Bloom announce the distinguished alumni award winner during a graduation ceremony. Christopher Pike / The National

• 

  From left: Mohammad Mirza, Sangeetha Mahadevan, Hayat Hassan and Rodger Iradukunda in the university’s library on the first day of term. Lee Hoagland / The National

• 

  The main library is designed with three oculi, which seep natural light throughout the premises and down through an elevated glass platform to the swimming pool and gym below. Lee Hoagland / The National

• 

  Graduands at the university's graduation ceremony in 2019. Leslie Pableo for The National

• 

  A graduation ceremony at NYUAD. Leslie Pableo for The National

• 

  Dr Wael Rabeh, an associate professor of chemistry at the university. Photo: NYU Abu Dhabi

• 

  Mohammad Qasaimeh, assistant professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering at NYUAD, demonstrates how the 3D-printed mechanical door opening mechanism works. Photo: Deepthi Unnikrishnan

• 

  Social distancing signs on campus as part of Covid-19 safety measures. Courtesy: NYU Abu Dhabi

Soyinka, originally from Nigeria, has published more than 90 works on culture and tradition, creativity and power, activism and the artistic process.

His most recent book published in 2021, Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth, is a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and has been described in The Los Angeles Times as a tour de force combining “elements of a murder mystery, a searing political satire and an Alice in Wonderland-like modern allegory of power and deceit”.

He has held positions at other higher education institutions, including Harvard, Yale, Duke, Emory and Loyola Marymount in the US. He is also an active member of a number of international, artistic and human rights organisations.

Soyinka first became a part of the NYUAD community as a writer-in-residence in 2020.

His visit was made through a joint invitation from the African studies, film and new media, history, literature and creative writing, and theatre programmes, hosted by the NYUAD Institute and supported by other offices across the university.

The NYUAD theatre programme is an academic and artistic laboratory dedicated to theatre research, scholarship and practice.