Wole Soyinka will join other eminent persons at the re-opening of schools that have been shut since 2010 in the war torn country.

Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, will be among dignitaries at the re-opening of the Ivorian public universities on Monday in Abidjan, the Ministry of Education has said.

Ivorian public universities have been closed for two years following demonstrations and pilfering by students during the country’s political crisis, which started in December, 2010.

The Ivorian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Cisse-Ibrahima Bacongo, said the renowned playwright would honour the re-opening ceremony alongside the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, and the Prime Minister of Mali, Cheick Modibo.

According to the minister, other guests include: M’Batchi Bertrand, who is a professor of food biochemistry and biotechnology in Gabon, and Bonaventure M’ve Ondo, a Rector of University Unions in France.

The minister said about 130, 000 students would be returning to the various campuses.

The minister said the Ivorian president, Alassane Ouattara, will chair the ceremony.

The Ivorian Prime Minister, Jeannot Ahoussou, and the Minister of Education, on Wednesday, began a tour of the universities in Cote d’Ivoire to ascertain the quality of renovation carried out.