Ibadan, Oyo State — March 3, 2026 — Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka on Tuesday led members of the Pyrates Confraternity to pay their last respects to Emeritus Professor Biodun Jeyifo at his burial ceremony in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Jeyifo, a distinguished literary scholar and former president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), died at the age of 80. His passing has drawn tributes from across Nigeria’s academic and literary communities, with many describing him as a towering intellectual and principled advocate for educational reform.
The burial ceremony, attended by family members, colleagues, former students, and associates, was marked by solemn tributes celebrating Jeyifo’s decades-long contributions to scholarship, labour activism, and national discourse. Soyinka, who founded the Pyrates Confraternity in 1952 as a campus-based organization promoting social justice and human rights, led members in a symbolic farewell in honour of the late professor.
Videos from the ceremony circulated widely on social media, capturing moments of tribute by the confraternity and other mourners. Attendees described the event as both reflective and celebratory, highlighting Jeyifo’s enduring legacy in Nigerian academia and beyond.
Throughout his career, Jeyifo was known for his work in African literature and Marxist criticism, as well as his outspoken role during critical moments in Nigeria’s educational and political history. His tenure as ASUU president was particularly noted for advocacy around university autonomy and improved funding for higher education.
As tributes continue to pour in, colleagues and admirers have emphasized that Jeyifo’s intellectual influence and commitment to principled engagement will remain a lasting part of Nigeria’s academic heritage.
