Esteemed Scholar Biodun Jeyifo Passes Away at 80

Professor Emeritus Biodun Jeyifo, a prominent figure in Nigerian academia and noted literary critic recognized for his in-depth scholarship on Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, has passed away at the age of 80.

Andrew Haruna, President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, announced the news of Jeyifo’s death in a statement on Wednesday, confirming that he died on February 11.

Often referred to as “Professor BJ” by his colleagues and students, Jeyifo's illustrious academic journey began at the University of Ife. He later took up dual teaching positions at both Cornell University and Harvard University in the United States.

In January, an international scholarly gathering was held at the MUSON Centre in Lagos to celebrate his 80th birthday. The event brought together academics, writers, and cultural figures to honor his extensive contributions to literary studies and intellectual discourse.

Recognized as a leading expert on Wole Soyinka's life and works, Jeyifo authored the book "Wole Soyinka: Politics, Poetics and Postcolonialism," published by Cambridge University Press in 2004. The book received international acclaim and numerous accolades, and is often hailed as one of the most thorough single-author analyses in the field of African postcolonial literary criticism.

Whereas some critics viewed the intricacies of Soyinka's writing as intentional obscurity, Jeyifo's scholarship suggested that the perceived challenges in understanding Soyinka's works stemmed from modernist and avant- garde literary styles. His analyses skillfully merged detailed textual examination with broader political and cultural insights, providing profound interpretations of Soyinka's dramas, poetry, and prose.

Colleagues frequently described Jeyifo's writing as both intellectually robust and accessible, combining in-depth critique with clarity. Aside from his work on Soyinka, Jeyifo was known for his wide-ranging contributions to global Anglophone literature, cultural theory, and postcolonial studies.

Jeyifo, born on January 5, 1946, was a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and a significant public intellectual whose influential career spanned decades of teaching, research, and mentorship in Nigeria and the United States.

In its announcement regarding his passing, the Nigerian Academy of Letters expressed heartfelt condolences to his family and the academic community, marking his departure as a profound loss to literary scholarship in Nigeria and internationally.