Farewell to a Scholar: Prof. Biodun Jeyifo Laid to Rest on March 4

By Seyifunmi Odunuga

A renowned literary scholar, Emeritus Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, will be laid to rest in Ibadan on March 4, his family has announced. Jeyifo, the pioneer President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

He was born on 5 January 1946 and died on 11 February, aged 80. He is survived by his brother, Olu Jeyifous, children, Okunola, Lekan, and Ayoka.

According to an obituary notice posted by his son, Prof. Okunola Jeyifous on behalf of the family, funeral rites will begin on Tuesday, 3 March, with an evening of tributes at 4.00 p.m. at Omolayole Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. On Wednesday, 4 March, a lying-in-state will take place first at TOS funeral homes, Oke Ado, Ibadan from 9.00-10.00 am and later at the deceased’s residence, Jeyifous Street, Oke-Bola, Ibadan, from 11.00 a.m – 12noon. Thereafter, Interment is to be held the same day at the Anglican cemetery, St. James The Great Cathedral Burial Ground, Ijokodo, Ibadan, at 1.00 p.m.

Professor Biodun Jeyifo, a renowned Marxist cultural theorist and leading scholar of global postcoloniality, passed away on February 11 at the age of 80 due to renal failure. His death has sent shockwaves across the academic community, leaving many in grief. Jeyifo, affectionately known as BJ, was an emeritus professor of African and African American Studies and Comparative Literature at Harvard University. He was a prolific scholar, teacher, and activist who left an indelible mark on the fields of postcolonial studies, cultural theory, and African literature.

Born in Ibadan on January 5, 1946, Jeyifo's academic journey was marked by distinction and excellence. He graduated with First Class honours in English from the University of Ibadan, where he later taught before moving to the United States to pursue his doctoral degree at New York University.

Jeyifo's academic career spanned several institutions, including Cornell University, Indiana University Bloomington, and Freie University of Berlin. He was a prolific writer, with notable works including "By Popular Demand: The Yoruba Traveling Theatre of Nigeria", "The Truthful Lie: Essays in the Sociology of African Drama", and "Wole Soyinka: Politics, Poetics, Postcolonialism".

A dedicated teacher and mentor, Jeyifo inspired generations of students with his boundless energy, warmth, and humour. He was a champion of social justice and academic activism, serving as the first president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in Nigeria.

Jeyifo's legacy extends beyond his academic work. He was a man of great compassion, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. His passing is a loss to the academic community, but his work and memory will continue to inspire and guide us.