Events for the final respect of renowned scholar, unionist, and public intellectual, Biodun Jeyifo in Ibadan this week from Tuesday 3 to Wednesday 4 March 2026, has prompted reflection within the community of scholars, journalists, and civic actors whose work he influenced for decades. For the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), the moment is marked not only by grief but also by gratitude. Gratitude that his life and intellectual contributions were publicly honoured while he was still with us.
On Monday, 5 January 2026, WSCIJ, in partnership with collaborators across academia and civil society convened a public symposium in honour of Jeyifo’s 80th birthday. Barely weeks later, news of his passing on 11 February 2026 cast that celebration in sharper relief. The Centre is consoled by the fact that his contributions were acknowledged in his presence, a fitting tribute to a life dedicated to fearless thought and public accountability.
Tribute Night: An Evening of Reflection and Remembrance
The day opened with an exhibition held in Biodun Jeyifo’s honour titled ‘Archives of Popular Struggle: An Alternative History of Nigeria’s Pro-Democracy Movement.’ The exhibition was hosted at the Cornelius Adepegba Museum of African Art in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development and the Institut Français de Recherche en Afrique.
The exhibition documents key moments in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement and reflects many of the struggles that shaped Jeyifo’s intellectual and civic engagements including debates around democracy, knowledge production, power, and liberation.
The Executive Director/CEO of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Motunrayo Alaka, and our Founder, Dapo Olorunyomi attended the exhibition alongside scholars, activists, journalists, and members of the public who gathered to reflect on the intellectual and political traditions that informed Jeyifo’s work and speak to the history of struggle for freedoms for all people in Nigeria and beyond.
At the Evening of Tributes held on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, speakers reflected on the breadth of Jeyifo’s impact. Tributes flowed steadily, painting layered portraits of a man described as brilliant, fearless, compassionate, disciplined, and unwavering in his convictions.
Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate and WSCIJ’s Grand Patron, recalled Jeyifo’s undergraduate years at the University of Ibadan, where he graduated with a First-Class honours degree. Soyinka reflected on the complexity of the man widely known as “BJ.” Describing him as a “Marxist jailer, practical mutineer,” Soyinka recounted episodes that revealed Jeyifo’s exemplary leadership and insistence on discipline and integrity.
Niyi Osundare, Poet and scholar, remembered their years of camaraderie, noting that Jeyifo stood firmly against injustice and ill-treatment. He commended his extensive scholarly contributions and observed that despite his intellectual commitments, he remained devoted to his family.
Unionist, Revolutionary, Institution Builder
The presence of past and serving presidents and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) from across the country underscored Jeyifo’s foundational role in the union’s history. Solidarity songs filled the hall at intervals, celebrating the efforts of the late unionist in establishing principled engagement with government.
Professor Chris Piwuna, President of ASUU, said the union first entered into a collective bargaining agreement with government under his leadership. “I was not fortunate to have been there when he was leading the Union,” Piwuna said, “but what we found on ground were solid efforts made by him and those who served with him, principles of integrity, transparency, courage, trust, and solidarity.”
Kayode Komolafe also described Jeyifo as the personification of the Marxist intellectual, noting his life of simplicity showed a consistency between ideology and personal lifestyle.
Femi Falana, Legal luminary, who sent his message, recalled how, following his emergence as ASUU’s National President in 1980, Jeyifo helped secure the recall of lecturers and student activists dismissed by the regime of Olusegun Obasanjo in 1978.
Kunle Ajibade, Journalist and writer, described him as not only a critic but also a creative writer whose intellectual interventions shaped public discourse.
Representing Professor Andrew Haruna, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, Professor Rasheed Olaniyi, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at University of Ibadan, said Jeyifo’s legacy would endure wherever scholarship challenges entrenched systems of power.
“BJ lives in every lecture that challenges the status quo. You live on in the print of universal letters,” he said.
Fearless From Youth
Tributes from his allies revealed that Jeyifo’s defiance of injustice began early.
Yemi Ogunbiyi (PhD), Biodun Jeyifo’s childhood friend and Chairman Tanus Books, recalled his days at Ibadan Boys High School, describing an anti-establishment posture that marked him out even as a teenager. He was reportedly linked to student actions that led to the brief closure of the school in 1964.
John Ohiorhenuan, an old schoolmate, remembered him as one of the most active figures in student politics at UI, already bearded and fearsome in presence.
The Mentor and the Man of Faith
Nike Osofisan spoke of Jeyifo’s instrumental role in her academic journey, particularly during her PhD thesis. “You played a major role in my academic success,” she said, noting that he also took interest in her children’s progress.
She and others referenced aspects of his faith and personal convictions, describing a man who may not have conformed to stereotypical religious expectations but lived a life rooted in humanity and service.
Iyalode Folasade Ogunbiyi, who said she had known him since her teenage years, described him as “rascally but never a bully.” “He was not the usual Christian,” she said, “but he lived his life for humanity and others.”
A Formidable Father & Phenomenal Grandfather
For his family, the evening was deeply personal.
His eldest son, Professor Okunola Jeyifo, described his father as a man of formidable presence whose booming oratory and animated gestures never translated into intimidation. He revealed that long drives were among his father’s favourite rituals; moments of solitude, clarity, and intellectual incubation.
“Time on the road was an incubator and testing laboratory for his writing and speeches,” he said. “Many of the most resonant and substantive conversations we had unfolded on long drives, some with no particular destination.”
Ayoka Samuels (Jeyifous) described her intellect as one of her strongest inheritances from her father, adding that “a bright light has gone out from the world.”
His grandchildren shared fond memories, while playwright Femi Osofisan simply said: “He was my friend. My best friend. We will certainly meet again.”
To make the event remarkable, the Ibadan City Chorale provided musical interludes, offering soulful renditions that softened the evening’s solemnity.
A documentary chronicling Jeyifo’s life from childhood through his academic and unionist milestones to retirement was screened as the programme’s highpoint, drawing quiet reflection from the audience.
Lying-in-State and Interment
A lying-in-state was held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at TOS Funeral Homes, Oke-Ado, before the procession moved to his residence at Oke-Bola for a more intimate farewell. Jeyifo was interred later that same day at the Anglican Cemetery, St. James The Great Cathedral Burial Ground, Ijokodo, Ibadan. As an active member of the National Association of Seadogs until death, Biodun Jeyifo, was honoured with a traditional Pyratical burial, a ceremonial rite reserved for members.
Leading the ritual, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka walked ahead of the procession holding a sword aloft, while fellow Pyrates followed in formation, chanting confraternity songs. The solemn procession formed part of the confraternity’s symbolic farewell, paying tribute to Jeyifo’s lifelong camaraderie within the Pyrates and marking his final symbolic voyage.
Even in death, BJ remains irrepressible.
