PRES TINUBU MOURNS PASSING OF RENOWNED LITERARY SCHOLAR, PROF. BIODUN JEYIFO
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep condolences over the death of Professor Emeritus Biodun Jeyifo, former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and one of Africa’s leading literary scholars.
Jeyifo passed away on Wednesday, prompting tributes from across Nigeria and the international academic community. In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the late scholar as a “towering intellectual” whose work in African literature, postcolonial studies, and cultural theory left a lasting legacy.
The President highlighted Jeyifo’s incisive criticism and masterful interpretations of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s works, noting that his contributions to literary scholarship will be sorely missed. He also praised the late professor’s leadership of ASUU, emphasizing the temperance, foresight, and wisdom he brought to negotiations with the government, which helped improve conditions for university staff and enhanced the learning environment in Nigerian universities.
According to Tinubu, Professor Jeyifo’s long-standing advocacy for academic freedom and social justice continues to inspire generations. The President further recognized Jeyifo’s influence beyond academia, noting his mentorship of scholars, writers, and activists in political and cultural journalism.
Tinubu extended condolences to ASUU, the Nigerian Academy of Letters, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, and the universities where Jeyifo studied or taught, including the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Oberlin University, Cornell University, and Harvard University.
“Nigeria and the global academic community have lost a towering figure and outstanding global citizen,” the President said. “Professor Biodun Jeyifo dedicated his entire life to knowledge production and the promotion of human dignity. His contributions to literary and cultural advancement and to society at large will be deeply missed.”
Professor Jeyifo was widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential literary critics and public intellectuals, earning several honors including the prestigious W.E.B. Du Bois Medal in 2019.
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