A Tribute to a Literary Giant: Prof. Biodun Jeyifo (1948-2024)

By Seyifunmi Odunuga

Renowned literary scholar, Emeritus Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, will be laid to rest in Ibadan on March 4, as announced by his family. The Ibadan Boys' High School Old Boys Association (IBHSOBA) has joined the global community in celebrating his life and legacy.

Oloye Rear Admiral Adetokunbo Lateef Akintola (rtd), President of IBHSOBA, shared that Prof. Jeyifo's roots at Ibadan Boys' High School shaped his courage, discipline, and intellectual prowess. "Even in his secondary school years, he displayed independence of mind and strength of conviction," Akintola said.

Prof. Jeyifo's academic journey is a testament to resilience and excellence. After being sanctioned for leading a student protest at IBHS, he excelled academically, going on to graduate with first-class honors in English from the University of Ibadan. He later became a globally respected literary critic and Professor Emeritus at Cornell University, reshaping African literary studies with profound interpretations of African drama and works of Wole Soyinka.

Akintola noted that Prof. Jeyifo exemplified moral courage, standing firmly for academic freedom and university dignity as the first National President of Academic Staff Union Universities. His voice was a defining intellectual force of his generation. 💡