Biodun Jeyifo, a distinguished professor of African literature and culture, has died at the age of 80. Jeyifo, fondly known as “BJ”, was a prominent scholar and academic who made significant contributions to the study of African literature and culture.
He earned a first-class degree in English from the University of Ibadan and later completed a doctorate programme at New York University.
Jeyifo’s academic career spanned decades and continents, with senior positions at Cornell University and Harvard University.
He was widely regarded as one of the foremost interpreters of the works of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka.
Beyond his academic work, Jeyifo was active in university governance and served as national president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), advocating for academic freedom and improved conditions in Nigerian universities.
Jeyifo’s passing has been met with tributes from the academic community and beyond.
Andrew Haruna, president of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), described his death as a profound loss to Nigeria and the global intellectual community.
A symposium was held in Lagos to celebrate Jeyifo’s 80th birthday and lifelong contributions to critical thought just days before his passing.
