President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Professor Emeritus Biodun Jeyifo, a distinguished literary scholar and former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), who passed away on Wednesday.
In a statement released on Thursday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu acknowledged the profound impact of Professor Jeyifo’s lifelong commitment to academic freedom and social justice.
The President emphasized that the esteemed scholar, critic, and public intellectual will be greatly missed for his significant contributions to African literature, postcolonial studies, and cultural theory, as well as for his insightful interpretations of the works of Professor Wole Soyinka.
Tinubu reflected on the wisdom, foresight, and moderation that Professor Jeyifo brought to ASUU’s leadership over the years, highlighting his role in facilitating negotiations with the government to enhance working conditions and the educational environment in Nigerian universities.
He noted that Professor Jeyifo’s dedication to advocating for academic freedom and social justice will be remembered.
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“His impact on political and cultural journalism will continue to serve as a reference for future generations, particularly among the numerous scholars, writers, and activists he mentored,” the President stated.
Tinubu extended his condolences to ASUU, the Nigerian Academy of Letters, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Oberlin College (USA), Cornell University (USA), and Harvard University (USA), where the late ASUU President was a student and a significant figure in African literary studies and research.
“Nigeria and the global academic community have lost a remarkable individual and an exemplary global citizen. Professor Biodun Jeyifo was an intellectual giant who devoted his life to the pursuit of knowledge and the promotion of human dignity.
I had a close personal relationship with him, and his contributions to literature, culture, and society will be deeply missed.”
President Tinubu offered prayers for the soul of the late scholar.
Professor Jeyifo was one of Africa’s most prominent literary critics and intellectuals, receiving numerous accolades, including the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal in 2019.
