How Ogun State’s premier railway station celebrates Nigeria’s Nobel laureate while driving national connectivity.
Location: Laderin, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
The Professor Wole Soyinka Train Station in Abeokuta, Ogun State, stands as both a tribute to Nigeria’s literary genius and a symbol of the country’s advancing transport infrastructure. Named in honour of Professor Wole Soyinka, Africa’s first Nobel laureate in Literature, the station merges modern engineering with cultural recognition, representing progress in both physical and intellectual journeys across Nigeria.
A Symbol of Honour and National Pride
Commissioned as part of the Lagos–Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway Line, the Professor Wole Soyinka Train Station forms one of the most significant railway developments in Nigeria’s modern history. The naming of the station after Professor Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka, a native of Ogun State, was a deliberate decision to celebrate excellence, scholarship, and integrity — values Soyinka has embodied throughout his global literary career.
The gesture immortalises his contributions not only to literature and theatre but also to national activism and education. It reflects the Nigerian government’s broader commitment to recognising individuals who have brought prestige to the nation.
Strategic Location and Infrastructure
Located in the Laderin area of Abeokuta, the station serves as a central link between Lagos, Ibadan, and other major cities in Nigeria’s southwest. Its strategic position in Ogun State — a region long associated with education, industry, and innovation — makes it a vital hub for commuters, business travellers, and tourists alike.
The station is part of the Lagos–Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway, which was officially completed and opened for full commercial operations in 2021. The 156-kilometre line is one of the flagship projects under Nigeria’s national railway modernisation initiative, designed to improve mobility, reduce travel time, and stimulate economic growth across regions.
Architectural Design and Facilities
The Professor Wole Soyinka Train Station reflects the elegance of modern Nigerian architecture. Its clean lines, open spaces, and accessible design convey efficiency and comfort. The station features:
Spacious waiting lounges equipped with digital ticketing systems
Air-conditioned halls and modern restrooms
Electronic information boards and security screening units
Parking facilities for private vehicles and commercial taxis
Accessibility features for passengers with disabilities
The infrastructure is designed to accommodate hundreds of passengers daily, ensuring smooth operations and comfort for travellers along the Lagos–Abeokuta–Ibadan route.
Economic and Social Impact
The establishment of the Lagos–Ibadan rail line, and by extension the Wole Soyinka Station, has significantly boosted socio-economic activities across southwestern Nigeria. Businesses now benefit from faster and safer transport of goods, while residents enjoy affordable, efficient mobility between key cities.
For Ogun State, the presence of the station enhances tourism and commerce. Visitors from across Nigeria and abroad can easily access Abeokuta’s cultural and historical landmarks — including the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Olumo Rock, and the Alake’s Palace — turning the city into a vibrant destination for learning and leisure.
A Fitting Tribute to a Global Icon
Naming the station after Professor Wole Soyinka holds deep symbolic significance. Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Soyinka has consistently used his literary voice to advocate for freedom, justice, and human dignity. His Nobel Prize in Literature, awarded in 1986, placed Nigeria and Africa on the global cultural map.
The train station thus becomes more than just a physical structure — it is a metaphor for Soyinka’s lifelong journey of enlightenment and progress. Just as trains connect cities and people, Soyinka’s words have bridged generations, ideologies, and cultures.
Looking Ahead: Connecting the Nation through Infrastructure and Inspiration
As Nigeria continues to expand its railway network, the Professor Wole Soyinka Train Station stands as a benchmark for excellence in infrastructure and heritage recognition. It is a reminder that progress is not only measured by steel and speed but also by the values and icons that inspire a nation’s collective journey.
For travellers arriving in Abeokuta, the station offers not just a gateway to the city — but also an invitation to reflect on the power of knowledge, creativity, and national identity embodied by one of Nigeria’s most distinguished sons.
References:
Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Official Releases (2021–2022)
The Guardian Nigeria: “Lagos–Ibadan Railway and the Modernisation of Nigeria’s Transport” (2021)
Vanguard Nigeria: “Why Wole Soyinka’s Name Matters in Ogun’s Rail Legacy” (2022)
BBC News Africa Archives on Wole Soyinka (1986–2021)
The new Abeokuta train Station. Named after Wole Soyinka. The station is located at Ori Osoko Community at the outskirt of Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.
The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.
Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.
“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”
Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”
Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.
“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”
But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”
Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.
In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.
“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.
“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”
The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.
Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.
“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.
“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”
Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.
She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.
In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.
In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.
Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.
He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.
He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.
It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.
In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.
She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.
“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.
“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”
