Ibadan Celebrates Literary Icon Biodun Jeyifo at 80
On January 9, 2026, the Tunde Odunlade Arts Gallery in New Bodija, Ibadan, became the venue for an informal gathering honouring Prof. Biodun Jeyifo on his 80th birthday. Organised by Prof. Femi Osofisan and a circle of friends, the event brought together scholars, writers, and artists in what felt less like a formal ceremony and more like a homecoming among peers who have shared decades of intellectual and personal history.
The Ibadan gathering followed a symposium held two days earlier at the MUSON Centre in Lagos, but where the Lagos event took on the structure of an academic conference, the Ibadan celebration was deliberately intimate. It was an afternoon for friends to speak freely, share memories, and celebrate the life of a colleague whose work has influenced their own thinking and writing over the years.
Prof. Jeyifo arrived at the gallery at 2:45 pm, accompanied by Prof. Femi Osofisan, Prof. Niyi Osundare, and the gallery’s host, Tunde Odunlade. Also present were Servio Gbadamosi of Noirledge Publishing, Ropo Ewenla, Dr. Tunde Adegbola, and Dr. Kolade Mosuro. As the group entered, the AJ Sequential band sang a birthday song while Atila played the clarinet, setting a celebratory tone that lasted until the formal programme began.
The proceedings officially commenced at 3:30 pm, with Ropo Ewenla serving as moderator. He acknowledged the presence of several distinguished guests, among them Prof. Dan Izevbaye, Prof. Dele Layiwola, Bankole Olayebi of BookCraft Limited, Steve Shaba of Karft Books, and Dr. Tony Marinho. He also recognised Prof. Adenike Osofisan, noted as the first female professor of Computer Science in Africa. With introductions complete, Ewenla invited Prof. Izevbaye to deliver the first tribute.
In his address, Prof. Izevbaye described the celebrant as a teacher of teachers, someone whose mentorship has extended across generations of scholars. Drawing from personal experience, he shared stories of their interactions over the years, moments that revealed both intellectual depth and personal warmth. Before concluding, he offered a Yoruba blessing, “wá ṣe òpó ọdún láyé,” and thanked Tunde Odunlade for providing a space where art and culture could be celebrated in Ibadan.
Following Prof. Izevbaye, Ropo Ewenla returned to the stage. He referenced the Lagos symposium from two days prior, noting his appreciation for the speech Prof. Niyi Osundare had delivered there. He then shared memories of his childhood in the Okebola area of Ibadan, stories that explained his familiarity with many of the elders in the room. He announced that the microphone would circulate among guests, allowing others to speak. Before the next round of tributes began, the band performed again, giving the audience a moment to absorb what had been said.
Prof. Niyi Osundare rose to speak next, referring to Professor Jeyifo as a tall leader. He reminded the gathering that the celebrant had graduated with First-Class honours from the English Department at the University of Ibadan, an achievement that was exceptionally rare during that era. “Professor Jeyifo has produced the most authoritative body of work on Wole Soyinka to date,” Osundare remarked. He urged the octogenarian to continue his work of reading and writing, then read a poem composed in his honour before he closed with a song.
Tobi Fabiyi spoke after Osundare, expressing what a privilege it was to be present. He recalled how Prof. Jeyifo had attended his daughter’s convocation ceremony, a gesture that spoke to the kind of person the celebrant is, someone who shows up for others even when the occasion is not his own. Tunde Adeniran followed, describing Prof. Jeyifo as a man of compelling character and profound humanity. He spoke of their student days at the University of Ibadan, emphasising how accommodating the celebrant had been to everyone around him. Adeniran concluded that Prof. Jeyifo’s life is worthy of celebration.
The mood lightened as Dr. Kolade Mosuro brought humour to the proceedings, joking about Prof. Osofisan and Prof. Jeyifo constantly debating who was older. Beneath the jest, however, his message was earnest. He called Prof. Jeyifo a true omoluabi and an extraordinary man, ending with a prayer that Ogun and the good Lord would continue to safeguard the celebrant’s health.
Prof. Olabode Lucas stood to welcome Prof. Jeyifo into the fellowship of those who have reached 80. He explained that while they had known each other at the University of Ibadan, they were not particularly close until a student demonstration where Prof. Jeyifo played a prominent role. That event turned their acquaintance into a lasting friendship. Lucas told the gathering he has never regretted the bond they formed, adding that Prof. Jeyifo remains a source of pride for all who know him.
Prof. Adenike Osofisan shared her own recollections. She remembered meeting Prof. Jeyifo during her school years and how he helped her when she needed support. She playfully called him a rascal but immediately clarified that beneath the exterior is a very soft heart. She repeated advice she had given him at 70, urging him to be kind to himself. Adenike praised his intelligence as far above average and described him as a brilliant writer across all dimensions.
Mr. Adeleke delivered his remarks in Yoruba, sharing stories and offering prayers for the celebrant’s continued health and happiness The formal proceedings concluded with Tunde Adeniran expressing gratitude to Prof. Femi Osofisan for organising the gathering, recognising the effort required to bring together such a distinguished group.
The gathering at the Tunde Odunlade Arts Gallery was more than a birthday celebration. Attendees honoured an 80-year-old scholar whose mentorship, guidance, and intellectual engagement have moulded generations. As music played softly and conversations continued in small groups, the sense persisted that what had been celebrated was not only a life well lived but also a life still committed to the pursuit of literature and society.
Prof. Biodun Jeyifo was born in Ibadan on January 5, 1946. He graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Ibadan’s English Department in 1970, a rare achievement during that period. After completing his MA and PhD at New York University, he built a distinguished academic career that took him across continents. He’s now Professor Emeritus at Cornell University and Harvard University, where he taught Comparative Literature and African and African American Studies for decades.
Prof. Jeyifo has dedicated much of his scholarly life to understanding Wole Soyinka’s work. Today, he’s widely regarded as the world’s leading authority on the Nobel laureate’s writings. His book Wole Soyinka: Politics, Poetics and Postcolonialism won the American Library Association’s Outstanding Academic Texts award in 2007, establishing him as a careful and perceptive reader of literature. Beyond his Soyinka scholarship, his work on African drama, postcolonial studies, and critical theory has influenced how students and scholars worldwide approach African literature. His writing and teaching have given readers and researchers new tools for understanding the continent’s literary traditions.