Remembering Biodun Jeyifo: Scholar and Mentor Passes Away

Biodun Jeyifo, a distinguished scholar and mentor, passed away on February 11, 2026. His friend, Sola Adeyemi, expressed heartfelt condolences, highlighting Jeyifo's impact as a teacher and mentor.

Jeyifo was known for his engaging lectures on African literature, often incorporating Marxist ideology. He began his academic career under the mentorship of Professor Oyin Ogunba at the Federal University Oye Ekiti.

Jeyifo completed his doctoral thesis at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was known for his rigorous standards. He later joined Cornell University, where he contributed to the Africana Studies Research Center and fostered academic friendships.

Notably, he facilitated a seminar featuring Chinua Achebe, which provided students direct access to the literary giant. Jeyifo's legacy includes a network of students and colleagues across the globe, and he was recognized for steering African literature into the global academic discourse.