A video capturing the forested surroundings of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s residence in Ijegba, Abeokuta, has sparked widespread reactions after it was posted on TikTok by user @fiendarchfiend1.
The clip, which has since gone viral, showcases a dense forest with a narrow path leading to the entrance of the renowned writer’s home. Viewers expressed surprise at the unique and remote setting, with the uploader remarking on the unexpected presence of numerous hidden mansions and apartments deep within the forest.
In the video, the user noted that the secluded nature of the area makes it hard to believe anyone lives there—let alone a global literary figure like Professor Soyinka—unless seen firsthand. He also humorously warned against entering the forest uninvited, referencing the high level of privacy surrounding the area.
It was revealed that Wole Soyinka intentionally designed his home to blend seamlessly with the forest, minimizing disturbance to the environment. Following his Nobel Prize win in 1986, he expanded the property to include creative spaces for scholars and artists, fostering a tranquil atmosphere for intellectual and artistic exchange.
The residence is part of the Ijegba Reforestage Project, a long-term environmental initiative championed by Soyinka to preserve the forest ecosystem. The project emphasizes eco-friendly living, sustainability, and respect for nature, making his home both a literary sanctuary and a model for environmentally conscious architecture.
Watch the video below;
@fiendarchfiend1 As they told me about the apartment in the forest, they said; there’s a lot of mansion and apartments in there but nobody can believe that unless you enter the forest!! If you think I’m joking you can do some research, cow must not enter or else it will be handed if any cow trespassing #goviral #tiktoknigeria🇳🇬 #fyp #trendingvideo
Watch a longer version of the clip on YouTube below;