Renowned scholar of literature and culture, Professor Biodun Jeyifo, is dead. He passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80, bringing to an end a remarkable intellectual career that spanned several decades and continents.
The President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), Andrew Haruna, confirmed the development in a statement, describing Jeyifo’s death as a profound loss to Nigeria and the global intellectual community. He noted that the late scholar’s contributions to literary studies and cultural criticism earned him widespread respect both locally and internationally.
Academic Journey Rooted In Ibadan
Born on January 5, 1946, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Jeyifo — fondly called “BJ” — distinguished himself early in life. He obtained a first-class degree in English from the University of Ibadan, where he also earned his master’s degree, before completing his doctoral studies at New York University.
He began his academic career at the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), before moving abroad for further academic appointments.
Global Academic Influence
Jeyifo later held senior academic positions at Cornell University and Harvard University, where he served as Professor Emeritus of African and African American Studies and Comparative Literature.
Widely regarded as one of the foremost interpreters of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s works, his scholarship contributed significantly to global understanding of African literature, postcolonial theory, and comparative literary studies.
Advocacy And Legacy
Beyond academia, Jeyifo played a key role in university governance and advocacy. He once served as National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), championing academic freedom and improved conditions for lecturers in Nigerian universities.
Earlier on January 5, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), alongside other intellectual bodies, organised an international symposium in Lagos to celebrate his 80th birthday and his lifelong contributions to critical thought.
Tributes are expected to continue pouring in from scholars, students and institutions across the world as Nigeria mourns one of its foremost intellectual voices.