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Wole Soyinka Lecture Series honours one of Nigeria and Africa’s outstanding literary icons and enduring social justice/human rights activist: A Nobel Prize Winner, Professor Wole Soyinka.
It aims to promote good governance, social justice and democratic ideals in Nigeria and beyond.
As the icon of the idea of pyratism and the radical actions that have consistently concretized its essence, the founding, in 1994, of an annual public lecture in honor of Professor Wole Soyinka is significant.
The issues addressed by the lectures are globally relevant to the sustenance of man and the continuity of his world. They depict the revolutionary fervor in us as individual and collective stakeholders in our communities.
A mix of activists, intellectuals and political leaders have graced the lecture series, in varying capacity. The themes and subject matters are iconic indexes of the rhetorics of revolutionary change and social justice.
Lectures from the Archives
The Organisers
About National Association of Seadogs
National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) was founded in 1952 at the University of Ibadan, by seven similar-minded undergraduates: Wole Soyinka , Ralph Okpara …The 7 radical students articulated the Pyrates ideals encapsulated in the 4-& Creed:
- Against Moribund Convention
- Against Tribalism
- For Humanistic Ideals
- For Chivalry & Comradeship
- Deck before Ego
- All before Self
- Sense before Slogan
- Truth before Cant
- Learn before Leap
- Change over Stasis
- Act over Yap
WS Projects
WS Digital Dialogue
A quarterly online event that will involve asking a chosen guest to propose an inspirational and pragmatic idea that can contribute to changing the world.
Wole Soyinka Award for Humanitarian Ideals
The Wole Soyinka Award for Humanistic Activism is awared to individuals or organisations that have….
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09
Jul2026
Announcing the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture
The 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture Series, featuring the NAS Martyr’s Day, reflects on Nigeria’s long struggle for democracy and the civic sacrifices that shaped its political evolution. This year’s theme – “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage” – addresses the urgent ... Read More
18
Apr2025
🎯 Theme: “Building Resilient, Cohesive Communities & The Challenges of Global Migration: The Irish Experience”
📍 Venue: J.M. Synge Theatre, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
📅 Date: Friday, 06th June 2025
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM
The 2025 edition of the Wole Soyinka Lecture (WSLS), the 27th in the ... Read More
23
Jul2024
The Wole Soyinka Lecture Series is a conception of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity). It is dedicated to honouring one of Nigeria and Africa’s most outstanding and enduring literary icons: Professor Wole Soyinka (Nobel Laureate) and a founding father of the organisation.
The Lecture Series, which is an annual ... Read More
17
Jul2024
Climate Justice and the Global South
The 25th Wole Soyinka Lecture Series is intended to bring together a wide range of stakeholders including policy makers in countries of the Global South, environmental NGOs, human rights groups, community-based organizations, researchers, academics, media outlets and journalists who can help ... Read More
17
Jul2024
Opening Remarks by Mr Abiola Owoaje, Capoon, National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) at the 25th Wole Soyinka Lecture with the theme “Climate Justice and the Global South”, held on the 1st of June, 2023.
Protocols:
The eminent speakers for this auspicious event: Ms. Dominique Palmer, a trailblazing climate justice activist,
Dr. Kennedy ... Read More
30
Jul2020
National Integration: A Panacea for Socioeconomic Development in Nigeria
This year’s Wole Soyinka Lecture Series is intended to rekindle the discourse on national integration against the delimitating effect and culture of parochial indigenisation. Conceptualised to reiterate the outcome of the second NAS Citizens’ Summit held on Friday, 01 February ... Read More
04
Aug2017
Your Excellency, Governor of Edo State Godwin Obaseki, representative of the governor of Delta State, Professors Wole Soyinka and Itse Sagay, guest speakers, president and members of the National Association of Seadogs, invited guests, all other protocols observed.
I want to start by thanking the leadership of the National Association of ... Read More
03
Jun2016
20
Jan2016
Towards the strengthening of democracy and good governance in Africa, the 19th Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture is themed: Democracy, Good Governance and Development in Africa - The Need for Effective and Visionary Leadership.
The lecture billed for Friday June 3rd 2016 will be holding at The Forum Auditorium of the ... Read More
08
Jan2016
On Friday, June 12, 2015, At Greenbelt Marriott Hotels, Greenbelt, Maryland, United States Of America
By Prince Ifeanyi Onochie, Nas Cap’n.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen! It is with immense pleasure that I welcome you all to this 18th Wole Soyinka Lecture Series.
The Wole Soyinka Lecture Series was established with ... Read More
18
May2015
This year’s Lecture, which is 18th in the series, will hold on 12th June 2015 at Greenbelt Marriott Hotel, Washington DC, United States. It is especially dedicated to all the victims; individuals, families and nations that have been impacted by the brutal and unprecedented surge in armed insurgency and transnational ... Read More
30
Dec2014
Having tracked the impact of the activities of terrorist groups like The Islamic State Militant Group (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria; Taliban extremists in Pakistan and Afghanistan; Al-Shabab in Somalia and Kenya, Boko-Haram in Nigeria and Cameroon et cetera, The National Association of Seadogs foresees a global spread ... Read More
03
Jul2014
Folk on the Rock: Jimi Solanke’s Evening of Songs & Tales
The NAS Charity Red Ball is part of the Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture Series. It is one of the key events celebrating Wole Soyinka on his 80th Birthday.
This year’s Charity Red Ball will feature the great entertainment maestro and award ... Read More
03
Jul2014
17th Wole Soyinka Annual Lecture
This year’s Lecture, which is 17th in the series, will also mark the 80th birthday celebration of the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Grand Patron and one of the seven founders, in 1952, of ... Read More
26
Apr2014
On behalf of the National Association ofSeadogs, I have the honour to welcome you to this edition of the Annual Professor Wole Soyinka Lecture Series. This lecture series is designed to provide an avenue for us all to take a critical look at the state of affairs of this nation ... Read More
19
Apr2014
Nautical Greetings, and welcome to the 1st Annual Wole Soyinka Lecture. This is our own way of acknowledging the achievements of our founder and Supreme Head, Professor Wole Soyinka on the occasion of his 60th birthday. An erudite scholar, author, playwright, Nobel Laureate and social critic, Professor Soyinka has served ... Read More
18
Apr2014
I welcome you all to this distinguished gathering, and I am sure you all know why I particularly enjoy being in the company of people interested in discussing Nigeria and her problems. For those who might not know, it is my belief that only such frank and open discussions provide ... Read More
18
Apr2014
On 29 June 2005, Professor Soyinka wrote, in United Kingdom’s version of “The Guardian”, an article that he titled “A Dream Perverted”. The dream to which he referred was his role and involvement in the formation of this nation’s and indeed Africa’s first campus fraternity, ours. The perversion to which ... Read More
18
Apr2014
It is yet another edition of the annual Wole Soyinka Lecture. The lecture series was inaugurated in 1994, the year of the 60th birthday of Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate in Literature, international scholar and human rights activist – Wole Soyinka. It was initiated with the objective of marking the birthday and ... Read More
16
Apr2014
On behalf of the National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity, I welcome you from all over the world to the emerging cosmopolitan city of Uyo which of recent has become the events Mecca for Nigeria.
I welcome the Guest Speaker, Barrister Ekpo Nta, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). ... Read More
16
Apr2014
Ahoy Seadogs – (and all Listening, and Educable Lubbers!)
This message comes to you from the bustling riverine town of Sapele which, as I learnt only a few days ago, boasts the oldest Athletic Club in Nigeria – albeit of a colonial paternity. It will celebrate its 100th Anniversary this year.
Now, ... Read More