Osaka, Japan – Nigerian author and filmmaker Onyeka Nwelue has publicly thanked Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka for writing a recommendation letter to support his application for residency in Japan, with Soyinka pledging to stand as his personal guarantor.
Nwelue shared Soyinka’s recommendation letter on his X account on Monday, describing the playwright as “the greatest literary mind in Africa” and expressing deep gratitude for the endorsement.
“With the support of the greatest literary mind in Africa, I have become a resident of the greatest nation on earth, Japan,” Nwelue wrote. “I remain indebted to this man till my last day on earth.” 
In the letter, Soyinka introduced Nwelue as “a bona fide visitor to Japan in promotion of his artistic preoccupations,” committing to take personal responsibility for his conduct during the visit. “I stand guarantor for his stated mission in Japan, and his compliance with Japanese laws and socio-cultural norms,” Soyinka wrote.
The Nobel laureate described Nwelue as a “responsible individual and committed professional,” noting that the two had collaborated on several projects together. Soyinka added that Nwelue’s presence in Japan would help strengthen cultural ties between Nigeria and Japan, particularly in the arts, and promote knowledge exchange among young writers and artists.
Soyinka also referenced his own academic presence in Japan, noting that his works are studied in several universities and secondary schools in the country, and expressed confidence that Nwelue’s residency would deepen the existing cultural relationship between the two nations.
