Imagine stepping into a thick, secluded forest outside Abeokuta—only to discover hidden mansions, peaceful libraries, and winding pathways. That’s exactly what’s unfolding in the viral TikTok video showcasing Professor Wole Soyinka’s private home in Ijegba Forest.
The Viral Reveal
TikTok user @fiendarchfiend1 recently shared a gripping clip of a narrow trail leading deep into Ijegba Forest, finally emerging into Soyinka’s residence. His narration captured widespread amazement:
“Nobody can believe this is where Professor Wole Soyinka is living… there’s a lot of mansion and apartments in there…”
The video quickly garnered huge engagement—over 168K likes—sparked by the sheer mystery of the “scary forest” entrance giving way to elegant architecture.
Soyinka’s choice to build here reflects his lifelong embrace of nature, privacy, and cultural depth. His Nobel Prize win in 1986 marked the beginning of the Ijegba Reforestation Project, which transformed the area from mere residence to an eco-cultural retreat.
Environmental architecture: Structures blend into greenery with native planting
Facilities for scholars and artists: Not just homes, but studios, libraries, and gathering spaces.
Photographers visiting the forest have captured intimate views: quaint wooden cottages, a cozy library lined with books, art-adorned living rooms, and outdoor benches—each frame exuding serenity.
Built on stilts and natural clearings, these dwellings embrace the woodland
Interiors are decorated with shelves of literature, artworks, and cushioned seating, ladder-style stages hint at private performances
Public Reaction & Community Stories
Local netizens have flooded comment sections with vivid memories:
“Yes there is a lot of apartments there, even library… I remember going there during his 87th birthday.” – @Nimithestylist
“Been to his house twice, you can’t take 2 steps without seeing an artwork, man has a whole stage for stage performances.” – @Melaninpop
“The forest looks scary but… when you step in, you will feel so safe.” – @_BabyJasmine
Stories also mention guests trekking an hour from the entrance and being hosted for birthday and cultural events in the woods.
Soyinka’s woodland retreat invites reflection—not just on his literary contributions, but on how art, nature, and privacy can harmoniously coexist. It’s a living testament to a man whose ideas erupted outward, yet whose spirit thrives in these secluded corridors of green and thought.
@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 ♬ original sound – Osoyinka 🪔
