Renowned scholar of literature and culture, Biodun Jeyifo, is dead.

Naija News understands that Jeyifo passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80, marking the end of a remarkable intellectual journey that spanned decades and continents.

In a statement announcing his death, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), Andrew Haruna, described Jeyifo’s passing 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 respect both at home and abroad.

Academic Journey Rooted in Ibadan

Born on January 5, 1946, in Ibadan, Oyo State, Jeyifo, fondly known as “BJ”, distinguished himself early in life.

He obtained a first-class degree in English from the University of Ibadan, earned his master’s degree from the same institution, and later completed his doctoral studies at New York University.

Jeyifo began his academic career at the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), before taking up appointments overseas.

He later held senior academic positions at Cornell University and subsequently at Harvard University, where he served as Professor Emeritus of African and African American Studies and Comparative Literature.

Jeyifo was widely regarded as one of the leading interpreters of the works of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka.

His scholarship deepened global understanding of African literature, postcolonial theory and comparative literary studies, earning him admiration among scholars worldwide.

Beyond the lecture hall, Jeyifo was active in university governance and academic advocacy. He once served as National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), where he played a visible role in the struggle for 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 lifelong contributions to critical thought.