Prof Biodun Jeyifo, acclaimed literary giant, is dead. He was aged 80. In his tribute on January 4, a day before his 80th birthday, one of his students, Dr Chidi Amuta, who is also a columnist with TheNiche wrote that while many people attain distinction in their chosen careers, “few are the men and women of distinction who become institutions in their chosen fields by dint of sheer grit and hard work. BJ belongs in that select formation of self-made virtual geniuses.”
By Emma Ogbuehi
Nigeria has lost one of its brightest literary minds with the passing of Emeritus Professor Biodun Jeyifo, a towering Marxist critic and postcolonial scholar whose work shaped African intellectual discourse.
The 80-year-old academic, affectionately known as Professor BJ, died on February 11, 2026, the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) announced Wednesday.
NAL President, Professor Andrew Haruna, FNAL, shared the sad news in a statement, mourning the end of an era in literary scholarship.
Jeyifo built a stellar career starting at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), where he emerged as a leading voice in Nigerian academia. He later held prestigious dual appointments at Cornell and Harvard Universities in the United States.
Renowned for his deep insights into African literature, drama, and Marxist criticism, Jeyifo stood as one of Africa’s most influential thinkers in postcolonial studies.
Just weeks ago, on January 5, 2026, global scholars and admirers gathered at Lagos’ MUSON Centre to celebrate his 80th birthday in a star-studded event.
In his tribute on January 4, a day before his 80th birthday, one of his students, Dr Chidi Amuta, who is also a columnist with TheNiche wrote that while many people attain distinction in their chosen careers, “few are the men and women of distinction who become institutions in their chosen fields by dint of sheer grit and hard work.”
Dr Amuta said, “BJ belongs in that select formation of self-made virtual geniuses.”
Professor Haruna’s full statement reads: “The President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, Professor Andrew Haruna, FNAL, regrets to announce the death of Professor Emeritus Biodun Jeyifo, FNAL, which occurred today, 11th of February, 2026.
“Popularly known as Professor BJ, Jeyifo had a distinguished academic career at the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, before relocating abroad.
“He later held dual academic appointments at Cornell University and Harvard University in the United States.
“He was widely respected for his scholarship in African literature and drama, as well as for his work in Marxist literary criticism.
“Over the decades, he was regarded as one of Africa’s most influential voices in postcolonial studies.
“On January 5, 2026, an international event was held in his honour at the MUSON Centre in Lagos to celebrate his 80th birthday, attracting scholars and admirers from across the globe.
“May his gentle soul rest in peace, and may God comfort the family he left behind.”
Jeyifo’s death draws tributes from across Nigeria’s literary circles, underscoring his enduring legacy as a bridge between local academia and global scholarship.
