Tinubu Mourns Ex-ASUU President Biodun Jeyifo

President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President, Professor Emeritus Biodun Jeyifo.

In a condolence message on Thursday through his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the late scholar as a towering intellectual whose work in African literature, postcolonial studies and cultural theory left a lasting global impact.

Tinubu noted that Jeyifo would be remembered for his sharp critical insights and authoritative interpretations of Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka’s works.

The President also reflected on Jeyifo’s tenure as ASUU leader, commending the restraint, foresight and wisdom he demonstrated while steering the union.

He acknowledged that Jeyifo played a significant role in shaping negotiation frameworks between ASUU and the Nigerian Government, particularly in efforts aimed at improving working conditions for university lecturers and strengthening Nigeria’s higher education system.

Tinubu further stated that Jeyifo’s lifelong advocacy for academic freedom and social justice would continue to inspire future generations of scholars and activists. 

The President 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, Cornell University and Harvard University, institutions where Jeyifo studied, taught or made notable scholarly contributions.

He added that Nigeria and the global academic community had lost an outstanding scholar and global citizen, noting that Jeyifo devoted his life to knowledge production and the advancement of human dignity. 

Tinubu also stated that he shared a longstanding personal relationship with the late professor and would deeply miss his contributions to literary, cultural and national development.

Professor Jeyifo was widely regarded as one of Africa’s most influential literary critics and public intellectuals. In recognition of his scholarly impact, he was awarded the prestigious W.E.B. Du Bois Medal in 2019.

The renowned literary scholar passed away on Wednesday, prompting tributes from across Nigeria and the international academic community.