Nigerian Scholar, Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, Dies At 80

Professor Emeritus, Biodun Jeyifo, one of Nigeria’s foremost literary scholars and critics, is dead. He was aged 80.

The President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL), Professor Andrew Haruna, made this known in a statement on Wednesday .

“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,” the statement read.

Fondly called Professor BJ, Jeyifo had a distinguished academic career at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) before moving abroad, where he held dual appointments at Cornell University and Harvard University in the United States.

He was widely respected for his contributions to African literature, drama, and Marxist literary criticism, and was regarded as one of the continent’s most influential voices in postcolonial studies.

An international event was held in his honour at the Muson Centre, Lagos, to mark his 80th birthday on January 5, 2026, drawing scholars and admirers from around the world.

“May his gentle soul rest in peace, and may God comfort the family he left behind,” Professor Haruna added.