Soyinka’s daughter faces death threat, racism at American university

A Nigerian academic Peyi Soyinka-Airewele, has recounted her experiences that unfolded in the spring of 2024, which culminated in death threats against her at Ithaca College, a university in New York, in the United States.

Soyinka-Airewele is the daughter of Professor Wole Soyinka, first Nobel Laureate winner in Literature from Africa.

Soyinka-Airewele, who is the first black woman to be promoted to full professor at Ithaca College, and also the Chair of the Tompkins County Human Rights Commission said in a statement that she had been subjected to a barrage of racist and violent messages, including threats of sexual assault and assassination.

She disclosed that death threats were also directed against her family and home, and that it all began when a student started exhibiting erratic, harassing and threatening behaviour towards her.

She stated that the threats were very severe to the point that faculty members expressed concern for her safety which led to her filing complaints.

However, she said, the complaints were met with “bureaucratic roadblocks, lack of empathy.

“The response of some of the top management of the University has been slow, negligent, dismissive and patronising, resulting in a prioritisation of institutional convenience over and above the well-being of faculty,” she noted.

Soyinka-Airewele said despite the challenges she has continued to work to protect other marginalised and vulnerable individuals in the United States as well as in Nigeria and to provide material support for those suffering from poverty and abuse.

Also the professor said she has spoken out this time to ensure that other minorities, especially black students and faculty from Africa are aware they can reach out for support if they face harassment, threats and other forms of discriminatory treatment.

Meanwhile, in a correspondence sent to the university by PREMIUM TIMES, concerning the issues raised by Soyinka-Airewele, spokesperson for the school Dave Maley said they generally do not comment on specific personnel issues, so cannot provide any additional information on this situation.

He, however, said the College takes threats against members of their community very seriously.

“When a member of our community brings a safety concern to our attention, the College works with that community member to provide support as appropriate based on the circumstances.”