- Renowned Nigerian scholar Biodun Jeyifo has passed away from renal failure at the age of 80
- Professor Jeyifo was celebrated for his contributions to academia and trade unionism in Nigeria
- Tributes highlight his integrity and dedication to Nigeria’s academic community and societal development
Biodun Jeyifo, a Nigerian renowned scholar, literary giant, Marxist, public intellectual, and committed trade unionist, has been declared dead.
Jeyifo, a professor and world-class intellectual, who was popularly referred to as BJ, reportedly died of renal failure on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
Photo Credit: @DAWNCommission
Source: Twitter
PM News reported that Professor Jeyifo’s death came one month and five days after he celebrated his 80th birthday in Lagos.
Who is Professor Biodun Jeyifo?
Professor Jeyifo was born in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, and earned his first-class bachelor’s degree and master’s in English from the University of Ibadan in 1970 and 1973. He earned his doctorate degree from New York University in 1975.
The late academic also held a DLitt (honoris causa) from Obafemi Awolowo University, formerly known as the University of Ife. He lectured at the university for so many years. The late professor once reflected on that moment, when he noted that it was at Ife that he became “the kind of teacher and person I had always tried to become.”
He also earned a senior professorship at Cornell University and Harvard University. He became a Professor Emeritus of African and African American Studies and of Comparative Literature till his death.
Journalist mourns Professor Jeyifo
Mourning the late professor, Rufai Oseni, a journalist, in a social media post, described the professor as a true patriot. He wrote:
“Prof BJ was a true patriot for Nigeria. The story was told of how he fought for the right of lecturers driving around Nigeria in his Volkswagen Beetle car. The entire academic community should honour him. He fought hard for the betterment of Nigeria. Patriots like Prof Biodun Jeyifo are rare! I was happy to have shared dinner with him in January for his birthday; little did we know that was the last. He was greatly loved, and it showed that day!”
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Photo Credit: @ARISEtv
Source: Twitter
Some Nigerians have taken to the comment section of Oseni’s post and prayed for the late professor. Below are some of their comments:
Everything Politics prayed for Professor Jeyifo:
“Nigeria has lost a true patriot and a principled scholar. May his legacy of integrity, courage and service continue to inspire generations.”
Mercy Agera prayed for the academic:
“May his soul continue to rest in peace. Amen. His kinds are rare in our age when professors seek personal gains. During the elections, the highest bidder gets the votes.”
Sodiq Olalekan prayed for the departed soul:
“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”
You can read more tributes to Professor Jeyifo on X here:
OAU student dies in his hostel
Legit.ng earlier reported that the OAU management in Ile-Ife, Osun State, mourned the sudden death of a part-three medical student, Timilehin Toromade.
According to the management, the student died at about 2 am when a roommate of the deceased opened the door for another medical student, who was also a member of the room.
His death happened barely a month after eight students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) in a tragic road accident in Plateau State, the state capital.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng